October is bringing a fresh batch of exciting films to theaters, spanning various genres from psychological thrillers to rom-coms. Here’s a rundown of the most anticipated releases this month.
Oct. 4
“Joker: Folie à Deux:”
The highly anticipated sequel to Todd Phillips’ 2019 film, “Joker,” makes its debut. Directed again by Phillips, “Joker: Folie à Deux” picks up two years after the events of the first movie. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, also known as the Joker, now confined to Arkham State Hospital. Here, he meets Harleen Quinzel (played by Lady Gaga), a fellow patient, and the two begin a twisted relationship. The film is envisioned as a musical journey through their shared madness, while Arthur’s followers, ignited by his actions in the previous film, work to set him free.
Oct. 11 releases
“Terrifier 3”: the “scariest” movie of the year, according to movie reviews
The terrifying saga continues with “Terrifier 3,” the latest entry in Damien Leone’s horror series. Set five years after the events of “Terrifier 2,” the film follows Sienna (Lauren LaVera) and her brother Jonathan (Elliot Fullam), survivors of the horrifying ordeal inflicted by Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton). As the holiday season approaches, the siblings attempt to move on with their lives, but their nightmare returns as Art the Clown resurfaces to bring terror to Christmas.
“Piece by Piece”
This animated documentary, “Piece by Piece,” offers a unique and playful portrayal of Pharrell Williams’ life and career, told entirely in Lego form. Directed by Morgan Neville, the film charts Pharrell’s journey from childhood to musical stardom, featuring appearances from friends and collaborators such as Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, and many more.
“Saturday Night”
“Saturday Night” is a comedic drama directed by Jason Reitman that transports audiences to 1975, exploring the wild events leading up to the very first episode of “Saturday Night Live.” With an all-star cast portraying the original “SNL” players, the film features Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Matt Wood as John Belushi, and Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, among others, capturing the frantic energy behind the iconic TV show’s debut.
“We Live in Time”
A heartfelt romantic drama, “We Live in Time” is directed by John Crowley and stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. The film tells the story of Almut and Tobias, whose chance encounter leads to a deep romance. But just as they settle into their life together, shocking news disrupts their world, forcing them to navigate the limits of time as they treasure every moment they have left.
October 18 Releases
“Smile 2”
The sinister Smile entity returns in this horror sequel directed by Parker Finn. “Smile 2” follows Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a pop star preparing for a world tour, whose life is turned upside down after witnessing the suicide of an acquaintance. Unbeknownst to her, the horrific Smile entity transfers to her, pushing her to confront her dark past before it’s too late. The film also stars Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, and Rosemarie DeWitt.
“Goodrich”
This lighthearted comedy, “Goodrich,” directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, stars Michael Keaton as Andy Goodrich, an art dealer left to care for his young twins after his wife enters rehab. In need of help, he turns to his adult daughter Grace (Mila Kunis), who is expecting her own child. Together, they navigate fatherhood, and along the way, Andy learns how to be the father Grace never had. The film also features Andie MacDowell and Carmen Ejogo.
“Anora”
“Anora” is a comedy-drama directed by Sean Baker that follows Ani (Mikey Madison), a young Uzbek-American stripper from New York City. Due to her fluency in Russian, she’s set up with Russian-speaking clients and eventually meets Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch. The two fall in love and elope, but their happiness is jeopardized when Ivan’s parents arrive, threatening to annul the marriage.
October 25 Releases
“Venom: The Last Dance”
The final chapter in Sony’s Venom trilogy, “Venom: The Last Dance,” sees Tom Hardy return as Eddie Brock, who once again finds himself on the run alongside his alien symbiote, Venom. Directed by Kelly Marcel, the film introduces new threats, including the creator of the symbiotes, forcing Eddie and Venom into an impossible decision. The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, and Stephen Graham.
“Your Monster”
“Your Monster” is a rom-com horror written and directed by Caroline Lindy. The film tells the quirky story of Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera), a young actress dealing with cancer and a breakup, who discovers a monster living in her closet. Played by Tommy Dewey, the Monster informs her she has two weeks to leave. Yet, during this time, an unexpected bond forms between them, leading to a unique love story.
This October’s cinematic offerings promise a wide array of emotions and thrills, from chilling horror and quirky love stories to heartfelt drama. Whether you’re looking for a scare or a laugh, there’s something for everyone at the movies this month.
