appy Halloween! Horror fans, you’ve got a lot to look forward to this month. With Disney’s Haunted Mansion making its streaming debut and The Exorcist: Believer premiering in theaters, there’s plenty of remakes and sequels to check out this month. Hulu’s latest No One Will Save You also provides a fresh addition to the sci-fi horror genre. Not a horror fan, but interested in something haunting all the same? Stand By Me is finally available to stream this October on Netflix. Based on Stephen King’s novella The Body, this 1980s drama is a poignant coming-of-age classic. Read on for the latest to stream this October!
Haunted Mansion
2023, Dir. Justin Simien – Family/Supernatural Horror – Streaming on Disney+ – PG-13
When Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase W. Dillon) move into a New Orleans mansion, they soon realize that there are a few unwelcome (and undead) guests. It’s not long before they seek the help of Ben (expertly played by Lakeith Stanfield), a paranormal tour guide grappling with ghosts from his own past. Disney’s remake of the 2003 family-horror comedy features a charming ensemble cast, with performances from Owen Wilson, Tiffany Hadish, and Danny DeVito. The story itself is a little meandering at times, which isn’t helped by its over two-hour runtime. Still, the film’s humor, heart, and spooky ambience make it a great choice for a family movie night!
No One Will Save You
2023, Dir. Brian Duffield – Sci-Fi/Thriller – Streaming on Hulu – PG-13
Hulu’s latest streaming venture is a deeply psychological and inventive take on the sci-fi genre. Kaitlyn Dever (previously in Booksmart) stars as Brynn, a young woman who is ostracized from her town under mysterious circumstances. Her life of solitude is disrupted forever when extraterrestrial beings land in her home. The film is unique in its lack of dialogue, as only a few words are spoken the entire film. Thanks to Dever’s performance, the remarkable special effects, and sound design that harkens back to genre contemporaries like Annihilation and A Quiet Place, the film is still enthralling. Sci-fi and X-Files fans alike will be pleased!
Renfield
2023, Dir. Chris McKay – Comedy/Horror – Streaming on Peacock – R
Renfield just may be 2023’s most outlandish horror film. After hundreds of years as Count Dracula’s familiar, Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) is ready to set out on his own. As you may have guessed, leaving a centuries-old toxic relationship is not so simple. The film is a dark comedy with moments of real depth. Though the story is admittedly a little scattered, the humor is sharp and the gore is truly gnarly. To make things even wilder, the film stars none other than Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula. The movie came and went with little notice when it played in theaters, which is a real shame. Now’s your chance to stream this underrated reimagining of the gothic horror tale!
Carrie
1976, Dir. Brian De Palma – Classic Horror – Streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max) – R
Few classic horror movies are as disturbing as Carrie. Many have tried to recreate the film’s unique, unsettling tone, but none have been able to capture what makes the original so special. That’s because the movie expertly matches its supernatural horror with the equally frightening horror of humanity. Carrie (Sissy Spacek) is a shy and awkward high schooler who is relentlessly bullied by her classmates. It’s only a matter of time before Carrie learns to fight back, and what follows is absolutely terrifying. Even seasoned horror fans can find something to be afraid of, and it remains one of the best of the genre. If you’re looking for a classic to watch on Halloween night, Brian De Palma’s one-of-a-kind film is my pick!
