October is always a great month for cinema, as we begin to see the release of many highly anticipated films with Oscar hopes. The London Film Festival is also underway alongside the build-up to Halloween, meaning there is an endless supply of films to choose from. Here, I have compiled a list of three films you should watch, all released relatively recently. One, in fact, was released earlier this month and is an unexpected favourite, another earlier this year, which I feel deserves more love and one in 2024, which is a must-watch during spooky season. Here are my top three films to watch in October.
The Smashing Machine
The Smashing Machine is a biopic about Mark Kerr, one of the original MMA fighters. It is set in late 1990s America and Japan, among other countries, where different UFC fights would take place. Dwayne Johnson was absolutely excellent in this role. I was truly shocked by how measured he was, acting with gentleness and precision while playing a huge and somewhat terrifying “smashing machine”. It was very interesting to see him in a role with real depth, telling an unknown yet poignant story, especially as I have only ever seen him in slightly cringy roles, where he plays a copy-and-paste character in a different setting, repeatedly. I hope we see Johnson in more roles like this in the future.
Materialists
Materialists was released earlier this year, and it is an American romantic comedy film both written and directed by Song. The film stars Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, alongside Zoë Winters, Marin Ireland and Louisa Jacobson in supporting roles. Pascal is one of my favourite actors, and I had been hoping to see him in a role similar to this for a while. He was very natural in the role and had great chemistry with Johnson. The film is set against the backdrop of New York City’s luxury-driven dating culture (I love anything set in New York), and it follows a love triangle between a matchmaker, her aspiring actor ex-boyfriend and a charming millionaire. I don’t think this film has received as much love as it deserves, so I encourage you to go see it!
The Substance
Finally, a film that’s perfect for an October watch. The film marked somewhat of a comeback for Demi Moore, and what a way to burst back onto our screens, literally. The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. Starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, the film follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Moore), a fading celebrity who, after being fired by her producer (Quaid) due to her age, uses a black market drug that creates a younger version of herself (Qualley) with unexpected side effects. The Substance is full of satirical elements and grotesque, hyperrealistic imagery – it was so absurd and not like anything I’d ever seen. If you want a witty, scary movie, this should be it.