From the deadly Netflix hit that took the world by storm to a gothic hidden gem for your next fright night, these are five shows and movies to jumpstart your October binge!
Eve’s Bayou, HBO Max
“Eve’s Bayou” is a southern gothic drama perfect for kicking off a horror binge this Halloween season.
The film, directed by Kasi Lemmons in her directorial debut, tells the story of ten-year-old Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett) as she struggles with her father’s infidelity, unsettling prophetic visions and the elusive nature of memory.
The haunting story is set in 1960’s Louisiana, and tenderly explores adolescent confusion and the turmoil and love that comes with family.
“If it [Eve’s Bayou] is not nominated for Academy Awards, then the academy is not paying attention,” said legendary film critic Roger Ebert in his review for the film upon its 1997 release. “For the viewer, it is a reminder that sometimes films can venture into the realms of poetry and dreams.”
“Eve’s Bayou” is a must-watch for any fan of horror, coming-of-age films, or captivating acting and direction.
Lemmons’ made her mark on horror, paving the way for the voices of more Black women in the genre like Misha Green of “Lovecraft Country” and Nia DaCosta of 2021’s “Candyman.”
Lemmons is also known for her work as an actress in the horror films “Vampire’s Kiss,” the original “Candyman,” and “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Lovecraft Country, HBO Max
“Lovecraft Country,” the innovative horror television series, was axed by HBO after its first season. But Showrunner Misha Green’s story of love, monsters, sex and white supremacy will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Karen Hunter, creator of The Hub.News and host of “The Karen Hunter Show” on SiriusXM and the weekly show “In Class with Carr,” vowed to resurrect “Lovecraft Country” in a tweet following the unceremonious cancellation of the ground-breaking HBO show.
Green tweeted a promising screencap of what the horror drama’s sophomore season would have looked like.
“A taste of the Season 2 Bible. Wish we could have brought you #LovecraftCountry: Supremacy,” tweeted the showrunner of historical drama “Underground.” “Thank you to everyone who watched and engaged.”
“Let’s talk. I know we can get this done,” tweeted Hunter in reply with over 700 likes and 45 retweets.
Squid Game, Netflix
2021’s “Squid Game” dominated social media as fans went rabid over the surprise South Korean smash hit.
The series follows financially desperate contestants as they compete for a cash prize in a vicious game show for the amusement of the upper class. The games mimic childhood pastimes, including Tug-Of-War and Red Light, Green Light, with a gruesome twist—the losers die.
A colossal success for Netflix, the show’s inescapable hype and timely themes will leave viewers begging for more. You will never look at innocent child’s play the same again.
Parasite, Hulu
In the same thematic vein as “Squid Game”—and from the same country—is director Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 film “Parasite.”
“The Park family is the perfect example of aspirational wealth. The Kim family is rich in street smarts (but not much else). By chance or fate, these two families are brought together and form a complicated, symbiotic relationship,” reads the blurb for the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. “In a turn of events, the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and Parks is threatened, causing an inevitable collapse.”
This viral sensation about economic inequality will have you crying and laughing, possibly at the same time.
“House Party” (1990), Netflix, HBO Max
Director Reginald Hudlin’s 1990 cult classic “House Party” follows the hijinks of grounded teenager Kid (Christopher Reid) as he tries to attend his friend Play’s (Christopher Martin) epic house party.
“House Party” spawned several sequels with an upcoming installment on the way.
