From full-fledged action films to horror films meant to provide you with an immersive Halloween experience,October 2023is full of movies of varying genres. Even if you are someone who does not like watching spooky movies, you can find light-hearted flicks or enjoy the iconicTaylor Swift: The Eras Tourconcert film on the screen.
Another noticeable aspect of the movies releasing in October is that there is a variety of sequels, adaptations, and original films releasing, so cinema lovers will have a chance to pick their favorite one from this large collection. Let’s look at these various movies hitting the screens in October.
The Exorcist: Believer (Oct 6)
There have been various sequels, prequels, and spin-offs to the iconic 1973 filmThe Exorcist.However, the upcomingThe Exorcist: Believeris the direct sequel to the original film. This is the first time that Ellen Burstyn is returning as Chris MacNeil to the franchise. It means that even if you have not watched the other films in the franchise, you only have to watch the firstExorcistfilm to enjoy this sequel.
The Exorcist: Believeris one of the most anticipated sequels, and it is arriving at the perfect time for the Halloween season. It will lay the foundation for a new trilogy, as the second film, titledThe Exorcist: Deceiver,is currently set to release in 2025. The trilogy is in the good hands of David Gordon Green, as he has proven to be asuccessful director with theHalloweensequel trilogy.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (Oct 6)
Pet Sematarywas a box office success in 2019, but the film did not explain the mythology or the background of the cemetery that can bring the dead back to life, so there are a lot of stories left to be explored in the franchise.Pet Sematary: Bloodlinesaims to do just that. It is a prequel toPet Semataryand is set 50 years before the first film.
The film follows young Jud Crandall (Jackson White), who wants to escape his hometown, Ludlow, but he discovers evil secrets surrounding a family legacy and cemetery. He unites with his childhood friends to unravel these secrets and confront the evil plaguing his town. The film is written and directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer.
Totally Killer (Oct 6)
If you love comedy, horror, and sci-fi time travel all in one movie, then you are likely to loveTotally Killer. This Nahnatchka Khan directorial follows Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) traveling back in time to 1987 to partner up with her mother and stop a young would-be-killer to prevent the murder of her mother’s friends on Halloween. Olivia Holt, Julie Bowen, and Randall Park play prominent roles in the film. Other than thepure horror filmshitting the theaters this Halloween season,Totally Killeris a light-hearted release that is coming directly on Amazon Prime Video.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Oct 6)
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martialis an adaptationof the 1952 novelThe Caine Mutiny. The adaptation is directed by William Friedkin; one of his last films before passing away. The film revolves around court-martial proceedings against Lt. Steve Maryk (Jake Lacy), a naval first officer who took control of the USS Caine from its captain during a dangerous sea storm.
The officer is defended by Barney Greenwald (Jason Clarke), who raises pertinent questions throughout the trial to determine whether Lt. Stephen committed mutiny or acted courageously to sail through the storm. The film has an impressive cast, including Monica Raymund, Lewis Pullman, Jay Duplass, Tom Riley, and late actor Lance Reddick.
Foe (Oct 6)
Foeis a sci-fi psychological thriller filmdirected by Garth Davis. It is based on Iain Reid’s novel of the same name, and he has also co-written the screenplay for the film. The film follows a happily married couple, Henrietta (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal), living on a secluded farm.
However, their lives are turned upside down when a stranger (Aaron Pierre) arrives at their safe haven and informs them that Junior has been selected to be sent to a large space station and a robot will be taking care of his wife in his absence. The novel received critical acclaim for discussing numerous themes, such as the effects of loneliness, isolation, and modern technological advancements, so the film is also expected to touch upon these themes.
The Burial (Oct 6)
The Burialis a legal drama film loosely based on a true story. It is directed by Maggie Betts. The film follows Willie E. Gary (Jamie Fox,x), a personal injury lawyer with a record of winning cases with unconventional tactics. He helps a funeral home owner, Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones), in suing a large-scale funeral home company called the Loewen Group.The Burialreceived good critical reviews when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Action thrillers never go out of fashion.Desperation Roadis one such filmthat promises a lot of action and suspense. It is based on the novel of the same name, and both the film and the novel are written by Michael Farris Smith. Nadine Crocker is directing the film adaptation.
The film has an impressive cast, with Garrett Hedlund and Mel Gibson in the lead roles, while Willa Fitzgerald, Kat Foster, Ryan Hurst, Ella Thomas, Woody McClain, and Pyper Braunstars are in prominent roles. It is an R-rated film set in a small Mississippi town and follows themes of justice and lawlessness. The story primarily revolves around three characters, Russell Gaines (Garrett Hedlund), Mitchell Gaines (Mel Gibson), and Maben (Willa Fitzgerald), and how they are haunted by their past mistakes and a secret that binds them.
Miranda’s Victim (Oct 6)
True crime movieshave been becoming more and more popular with time, as they not only entertain people but also inform them about the major cases in history.Miranda’s Victimis also a biographical true crime filmbased on the life of Patricia “Trish” Weir.
The case became a huge point of discussion in 1963 when it was discovered that Patricia was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Ernesto Miranda. Other than depicting Patricia’s life, the film will also tell the audience about theorigins of Miranda’s warning.
Michelle Danner is directing the film with an ensemble cast. Abigail Breslin plays Trish Weir, while Sebastian Quinn plays Ernesto Miranda. The film also has other prominent actors, including Luke Wilson, Andy García, Donald Sutherland, Ryan Phillippe, Kyle MacLachlan, Mireille Enos, Taryn Manning, Emily VanCamp, Josh Bowman, Enrique Murciano, and Brent Sexton.
Cat Person (Oct 6)
Kristen Roupenian’s short story calledCat Personbecame an internet sensationwhen it was published in 2017. People around the world found the story highly relatable because of the way it depicted dating in today’s time.
After about six years, the viral short story is being adapted into a feature-length film directed by Susanna Fogel. Michelle Ashford has written the screenplay based on the original short film.
It is a black comedy film that follows a 20-year-old sophomore college student, Margot (Emilia Jones), who has a brief relationship with an older man, Robert (Nicholas Braun). Since it was originally a short story, readers did not get to dive deep into this world.
However, the film adaptation has many other cast members, including Geraldine Viswanathan, Hope Davis, Fred Melamed, and Isabella Rossellini, in prominent roles, so the viewers will definitely get to witness the dynamics of Emilia and Robert’s relationship through different lenses.
Dark Harvest (Oct 11)
Dark Harvestis a horror mystery film directed by David Slade. It is based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Norman Partridge. The film seems to have the perfect release date around Halloween, as per its plot. It is set in a cursed town where, every Halloween, a supernatural being emerges from the cornfields, and one who is able to successfully confront the creature will receive a prize.
A group of young boys join forces to stop the monster. They come across unexpected revelations as the hunt progresses, and they have to make a choice to end the curse once and for all. The film stars Casey Likes as Richie Shepard, E’myri Crutchfield as Kelly Haines, Dustin Ceithamer as Sawtooth Jack/October Boy, Elizabeth Reaser as Donna Shepard, and Jeremy Davies as Dan Shepard.
