Our picks of what to watch on streaming platforms this month

Fear is in the eye of the beholder. Some would find a remake of a classic horror such as Scream a quintessential watch for Halloween month, while others would consider first-hand accounts from the Tham Luang survivors much, much more harrowing. Then there are those who might not be able to stomach the frivolous interactions of LA’s grossly wealthy and entitled Asians, or those of us who, despite our better judgement, just can’t look away from the car crash (spoiler). 

October has such a hodgepodge of new releases on various streaming platforms that are somehow all just right for the time of year. Here are our picks of what to dive into this month on Netflix, HBO GO, and Prime Video. 

1/7 Bling Empire (Season 3)

Premieres on October 5 on Netflix

It’s the third return of the trash reality TV show about rich Asians in LA. If you’ve already invested yourself in two seasons, it’d just be strange not to follow up—unless you have something more important to watch. The new season promises more drama amongst the main cast, while introducing new characters to heat things up. Will Kevin and Kim patch things up or burn their bridges? Will Kelly get over her Power Ranger and find love, with Kane’s assistance this time? Who totals their car? And what’s Anna Shay up to this season? 

2/7 The Trapped 13: How We Survived The Thai Cave

Premieres on October 5 on Netflix

Directed by Pailin Wedel, this retelling of the fateful events from four years ago interviews the youth soccer team who were trapped in Tham Luang Cave for 18 days. While plenty of films have come out of this unforgettable event in modern Thai history, this is perhaps the most important as it’s the first documentary in which the boys and the coach sit down to recall their personal experiences of survival. The film also features first-hand accounts from some of the boys’ family members, as well as both local and international contributors to the rescue mission.

3/7 Catherine Called Birdy

Premieres on October 7 on Prime Video

“Men are horribly duplicitous creatures,” says one young Lady Catherine in 1290. A medieval comedy directed by Lena Dunham and starring Bella Ramsey from GOT, this film is set in the English village of Stonebridge where a Lady Catherine, or Birdy, is to be married off to get her family out of financial ruin. Clever and cunning, Birdy finds creative, humorous ways to thwart off her suitors. The film also stars Andrew Scott as Birdy’s father. 

4/7 Everything Everywhere All at Once

Premieres on October 8 on HBO GO

For those who missed the theatrical release of this A24 film starring Michelle Yeoh, the critically-acclaimed absurdist sci-fi action comedy-drama lands on HBO GO this month. Deceptively Marvel-esque with discussions of the Multiverse and over-the-top depictions of superhuman abilities, Everything Everywhere All At Once ultimately explores heavy concepts such as the meaning of life and nihilism as Yeoh’s character of an immigrant in America experiences a whirlwind of challenges, both internal and external. 

5/7 The Peripheral

Premieres on October 21 on Prime Video

A new show from the creators of Westworld, The Peripheral centers on Flynne Fisher (played Chloë Grace Moretz), who’s stuck in small town America until she is introduced to the world of VR. One night after donning the headset, however, she discovers that it’s not virtual reality after all; it’s actual reality but in the future.

6/7 Scream (2022)

Premieres on October 29 on HBO GO

The perfect pre-game for Halloween, this Scream “relaunch” is actually more or less the fifth installment of the movie franchise. Taking place 25 years after a streak of brutal murders rocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a terrifying new killer resurrects the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers. The film stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and rising star Jenna Ortega.

7/7 The White Lotus (Season 2)

Premieres on October 31 on HBO GO

Mike White’s humorously dysfunctional vacationist series returns to HBO but this time takes us to The White Lotus resort in Sicily, where the story follows mostly new characters. Jennifer Coolidge reprises her role as wealthy and self-absorbed resort guest Tanya McQuoid, while the likes of Aubrey Plaza, F. Murray Abraham, and Meghann Fahy join the cast.