October is upon us, and with it comes a stellar line-up of on-screen entertainment sure to excite and intrigue. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s no surprise that exhilarating tales of horror and mystery take centre stage. But not to worry if you’d rather not get spooked—a selection of playful releases and heartfelt narratives has you covered.
First up: Werewolf by Night. The latest instalment of the extensive Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) comes lauded by critics for its breakaway from the typical superhero movies we’ve grown familiar with. Venturing into the realm of monsters and monster hunters, the television special plunges its audiences into a black-and-white horror set-up reminiscent of monster movies made in the ‘30s and ‘40s.
There’s also Pink Lie, a first-of-its-kind Korean dating show with a twist. Its unique premise? Each participant has a big lie they have to keep secret from each other. All the while, an impressive team of hosts—comprising Super Junior’s Heechul, YouTube influencer Ralral and K-drama stars Lee Sunbin and Song Wonseok—guarantee top-notch entertainment and a ton of hilarity.
For other options to consider, look to The Midnight Club for a series that is as terrifying as it is meaningful. On the K-drama front, there’s Glitch, the sci-fi comedy that stars Jeon Yeo Bin and After School’s Nana as childhood friends investigating a conspiracy, as well as Shadow Detective, a gripping crime thriller that follows a detective who finds himself framed for murder.
Here, find our full curation of shows to hit play on this month—all made available on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+.
1 / 7
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities
The mastermind behind films such as Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro is undoubtedly one of the most influential directors of today. His work, recognisable for its unique blend of fairytale and horror, often highlights the beauty in the grotesque. As sophisticated as it is sinister, his newest anthology features eight unique stories that push the boundaries of the classic horror genre. Two of the episodes are original stories by del Toro himself, while the rest are told by some of modern horror’s most venerated creators.
Watch Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix from 25 October.
2 / 7
Shadow Detective
A crime thriller that unveils new mysteries at every turn, Shadow Detective follows accomplished but soon-to-be-retired detective Taekrok (Lee Seongmin) as he awakens to find himself framed for a murder he did not commit. While Taekrok feels, he is contacted by the real murderer—who only identifies himself as “Friend”—and blackmailed into re-investigating his former cases. Racing against the clock, he has to solve one last case before time runs out, or be forced to face devastating consequences.
Watch Shadow Detective on Disney+ from 26 October.
3 / 7
The Midnight Club
Within a hospice for terminally ill teenagers, a group of friends meet to tell scary stories every night. With not long left to live, a pact is made between them: the first to die has to send a sign from beyond the grave. But when one of them passes on, chilling occurrences begin. An adaptation of the 1994 Chris Pike novel of the same name, The Midnight Club is created by celebrated horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan—of The Haunting of Hill House fame. Beneath its foreboding premise, expect a series that takes a poignant dive into the human condition and the meaning of life.
Watch The Midnight Club on Netflix from 7 October.
4 / 7
Pink Lie
Pink Lie is not your typical dating show. The Korean reality series—hosted by Super Junior’s Heechul, YouTube influencer Ralral and K-drama stars Lee Sunbin and Song Wonseok—sees a group of contestants coming together to bond and complete challenges. But here’s the catch: each participant is armed with a lie about themselves that they must keep secret from their potential partners. As the show progresses, select contestants will be given a ‘pink moon’ that allows them to uncover another participant’s lie—a decision that could make or break the relationship between them.
Watch Pink Lie on Disney+ now.
5 / 7
Glitch
Hong Ji Hyo (Jeon Yeo Bin) can see aliens. Skeptical, she steadfastly ignores these strange occurrences, at least until her boyfriend abruptly disappears in a flash of unknown light. Joining forces with a community of UFO enthusiasts as well as childhood friend Heo Bo Ra—played by none other than After School’s Nana—she attempts to investigate the mysterious disappearance, only to stumble upon a deep conspiracy. Sci-fi, mystery and offbeat comedy all at once, Glitch takes you on a quirky and upbeat adventure filled with extraterrestrial mayhem.
Watch Glitch on Netflix from 7 October.
6 / 7
Raymond and Ray
Any film that stars both Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke is almost guaranteed to be a compelling one. In Raymond and Ray, the pair take on the roles of estranged half-brothers coming together after the death of their abusive father. In the midst of their tense reunion, they make an unexpected discovery: that their father’s final wish was for them to dig his grave together. With McGregor and Hawke playing off each other perfectly, the film invites you on a journey of self-discovery rooted in the complexities of family.
Watch Raymond and Ray on Apple TV+ from 21 October.
7 / 7
Werewolf by Night
The MCU has been dipping its toes into horror as of late. A fitting continuation of its foray into the genre, Werewolf by Night begins with a secret faction of monster hunters gathering at the ominous Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. There, the attendees are thrown into a deadly competition for a powerful relic, a hunt that will lead them face to face with a dangerous monster. Filled with suspense, the black-and-white television special is an eerie homage to monster movies of the ‘30s and ‘40s.
Watch Werewolf by Night on Disney+ from 7 October.
