It feels weird doing these lists when cinemas are not fully up and running, but hey, even though we’re not at full speed just yet, there are still new movies to watch and enjoy. Netflix is of course doing its best to keep the film mill alive with a steady dose of content, and some of these films that have a theatrical release will also have a fairly quick streaming release, while some will head straight to PVOD.
Since it’s October and Halloween month, there is of course quite the influx of horror movies. Most notable is Amazon’s Welcome to the Blumhouse, with the platform streaming four new Blumhouse films this month. As always, October is the best month to be a horror fan, and the new movies of October 2020 prove just that.
1. Possessor | October 2, 2020
Possessor is the sophomore film from writer and director Brandon Cronenberg, and yes, he is the son of David Cronenberg. He has big shoes to fill, and he has done that with aplomb with his latest film Possessor. Critics are raving about it, horror fans are calling it the best movie of the year — I think it’s safe to say that it’s worth the watch.
Possessor is a blend of horror and sci-fi, a blend that comes together to create a spine-chilling work of body horror. The film follows an agent Tasya Vos (Andrea Riseborough), who works for a secretive organization that uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people’s bodies – ultimately driving them to commit assassinations for high-paying clients. Her latest assignment requires possessing the body of Colin Tate (Christopher Abbott), and needless to say, things don’t go according to plan.
The film was initially slated to be released on October 9, 2020, but its release date has been moved up by one week. If that’s not a sign to watch is as soon as you can, I don’t know what is.
2. Hubie Halloween | October 7, 2020
Ah yes, the requisite Adam Sandler comedy flick we get from Netflix every year.
Last year’s offering was Murder Mystery, and despite the flaming reviews from the critics, it was well-received by Netflix’s audience, becoming Netflix’s most-watched movie of 2019. So yeah, we can roll our eyes all we want, but some of us are still going to cave and watch it anyway. I know I am.
Adam Sandler plays Hubie Dubois, who is devoted to his hometown Salem and their annual Halloween celebration. However, much like Sandler’s Bobby Boucher from The Waterboy, Hubie is mocked and made fun of, by both adults and kids alike. This Halloween, strange things are happening in Salem, and it’s up to Hubie to protect the town from things that go bump in the night.
3. The Trial of the Chicago 7 | October 16, 2020
Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 is getting a limited theatrical run along with its Netflix release, so you know what this means: Netflix is thinking Oscar glory here folks. I mean, there’s no surprises here, considering the film’s early reviews have already proclaimed its freshness on Rotten Tomatoes – at 92%, that’s certainly something to write home about.
The film is Sorkin’s sophomore effort, after making his directorial debut with 2017’s Molly’s Game. The Trial of the Chicago 7 takes place during the 1968 Democratic Convention, when seven political activists were arrested and later charged with conspiracy to incite a riot after police violently tried to break up an anti-Vietnam War protest, using batons and tear gas against the protesters.
Given Sorkin’s work as a writer on shows like The West Wing and The Newsroom, this political drama certainly plays to his strengths, and the star-studded cast onboard, with the likes of Eddie Redmayne and Jeremy Strong, makes this film a must-watch.
4. Love and Monsters | October 16, 2020
Is there anyone who does action and comedy quite like Dylan O’Brien? The only answer I will accept is no, there is no one like him.
O’Brien, star of The Maze Runner series, once again finds himself in a post-apocalyptic setting, but this time, it isn’t a virus. I mean, the title basically speaks for itself. Love and Monsters’ release will be on PVOD, so you can watch all the Dylan O’Brien you want, from the comfort of your home.
Described as a post-apocalyptic action romantic comedy film (what a mouthful), O’Brien’s Joel has to learn to survive with the help of an expert hunter, played by Michael Rooker (is anyone else getting The Walking Dead flashbacks?). The movie feels like Zombieland, but with monsters, which sounds like a bucket of fun.
5. Rebecca | October 21, 2020
If the title sounds familiar to you, that’s because Rebecca is an adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s gothic novel. There was also a previous film adaptation, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine in the leading roles. In Ben Wheatley’s film, it is Armie Hammer and Lily James who have taken on the leading roles.
Armie Hammer plays Maxim de Winter, whose first wife Rebecca died under mysterious circumstances, her body never found. Although Rebecca never shows up in the novel, her presence is felt, especially because of the obsessive Mrs Danvers (played by Kristin Scott Thomas in this modern adaptation), who preserves Rebecca’s room and things despite her passing. Lily James is the new Mrs de Winter, where after a whirlwind romance she agrees to marry Maxim and returns with him to Manderley, his grand mansion by the sea in south-western England.
Just like The Trial of the Chicago 7, Rebecca will also have a limited theatrical release in tandem with its streaming release. Hitchcock’s version took home the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Cinematography, so Netflix is predicting that this modern version of Rebecca may possibly achieve the same success.
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