October streaming highlights: the films and series you just can’t miss

A vampire’s famous last words? «What a beautiful day!» Well, you know what? Today is a beautiful day. Because today, I’m back with my monthly film and TV highlights. This time for the month of October.

The Boy and the Heron (anime film)

In a rare but refreshing twist of events, this year’s Oscar for Best Animated Feature didn’t go to a typical, flawlessly animated Disney or Pixar production. Instead, it went to a nostalgic masterpiece of hand-drawn art. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, handmade stories that are the most moving. The Boy and the Heron by Japanese studio Ghibli is one such movie.

It tells the story of a boy named Mahito, who moves to the countryside after tragically losing his mother in the Second World War. There, he meets a mysterious grey heron who lures him into a magical world. On his journey through this fantastical world full of talking animals and hidden secrets, Mahito confronts his grief and discovers the true value of life and friendship.

It’s the sort of tale that’s right up Studio Ghibli’s street. The studio often tells stories about growing up, loss, hope and humankind’s relationship with nature. It doesn’t shy away from complex themes and emotions either. For instance, there’s Grave of the Fireflies, which Netflix added to its catalogue last month. However, the studio also offers moments of lightness and humour. This one’s a must-see.

Release date: 7 October
Where: Netflix

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (anime series)

Interestingly, this anime series picks up where the new Tomb Raider video game trilogy leaves off. In other words, right after Lara almost triggered a Mayan apocalypse and is forced to get to grips with her role as a tomb raider.

In the anime sequel to the game series, the once young and inexperienced Lara seems to have developed into a capable, self-confident…tomb raider. Albeit one who sees herself more as a protector of old artefacts. The trailer linked here doesn’t reveal much more than that. For fans of the video games, the sequel’s bound to be a real treat.

Release date: 10 October
Where: Netflix

Disclaimer* (miniseries)

Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón has an impressive career under his belt. With films such as Gravity and Roma, he’s won just about every major film award – from Oscars to Golden Globes to the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Even so, when Apple asked him to make a TV adaptation of Renée Knight’s novel Disclaimer, he was downright «terrified». He revealed as much in an interview at the Toronto Film Festival. He went on to describe the project as completely out of his comfort zone. After all, he initially had no idea how to make a TV series.

The critics at the festival, however, didn’t seem to mind. Disclaimer, in which similarities with living or deceased persons are «*not a coincidence», was apparently quite the success. Cuarón sees his miniseries as one big movie across seven acts. I’m not sure whether he’s used his trademark minute-long scenes without visible cuts in this series, but it’ll be magnificent if he has. I liked the style back when it was used in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Children of Men.

Release date: 10 October
Where: Apple TV+

Shrinking, Season 2 (series)

If you subscribe to Apple TV+, you’re bound to have heard of the comedy-drama series Shrinking. It centres around therapist Jimmy (Jason Segel), who’s lost his wife and is struggling with grief while trying to maintain his job, his role as a father and his friendships. Frustrated by his own inability to make progress and the apparent ineffectiveness of his therapy methods, he finally decides on a new, radical approach: giving patients his uncensored opinions. And, even worse, telling them what they should do. This all works out fine – right up until it doesn’t.

I liked the first season. Especially because the show manages to combine serious issues such as grief, loss and mental health with a refreshing dose of humour. There’s a touch of Ricky Gervais’s After Life about it. Plus, there are loads of brilliant characters. Obviously, there’s Jimmy. But there’s also Harrison Ford as Jimmy’s friend, and therapist mentor Paul, who’s struggling with his own problems and developments. Bring on season two.

Release date: 16 October
Where: Apple TV+

Brothers (film)

Honestly, the trailer has more reasons to watch this movie included in its first 30 seconds than I have to get up in the morning. It shows Brendan Fraser and Peter Dinklage in a wonderfully absurd situation. Off camera, Peter Dinklage then says: «Some families have a long line of dentists or lawyers. We had a long line of felons.» And as if that wasn’t enough, the criminal duo consists of Dinklage and Josh Brolin.

Need I say more? Just watch it.

Release date: 17 October
Where: Prime Video

This is the Zodiac Speaking (documentary)

The thing that distinguishes the Zodiac from many other serial killers? He got away with it. His identity’s an unsolved mystery that’s sparked theories and obsessions for five decades. The saga of the notorious serial killer who terrorised Northern California in the late 1960s and became known through coded messages, cryptic letters and a series of unsolved murders has become one of the greatest in crime history. His gruesome deeds and the media attention that accompanied them fascinated both the public and investigators, who’re still trying to solve the case today.

A family has now come forward to tell their story. And, as Netflix has boldly claimed, they’re revealing previously unknown evidence. Apparently, no other family has ever been closer to the man, who, according to detectives, is the only suspect ever to be named. I don’t really buy into the hoo-ha Netflix is generating around it. But I’ll still watch this true crime documentary. As barbarous as the Zodiac killer was, the yet-unsolved case is still a fascinating story.

Release date: 23 October
Where: Netflix

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (documentary)

Mats Steen was never granted a long life. He suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe genetic disease that affects the muscles. When other children would play on the swings, he’d fall off. While others ran, he’d stumble. Eventually, Mats barely had enough muscles in his body to leave the house. Or speak, eat or drink. Mats was 24 years old when he died.

But as Robert Steen was reading the eulogy for his late son in a chapel outside the Norwegian capital Oslo, family members weren’t the only ones listening. Strangers were too. Strangers to Mats’ family, at any rate. To Mats, they were some of the most important people in his short life. They were the ones who’d lift off the chains of his physical limitations night after night, allowing him to experience the most incredible adventures in a fantastical world. Addressing the mourners, one of them said: «While we are gathered here today, people all over Europe are lighting candles for Mats.»

To them, Mats wasn’t Mats. He was Ibelin – a nobleman by birth, bon vivant and explorer in the virtual landscape of World of Warcraft. Here, Mats found a fulfilling life of comfort, friendship and adventure – one he was denied in real life. If we can learn anything from Ibelin, it’s that true heroism is about enjoying life to the full, no matter what challenges it holds.

Release date: 25 October
Where: Netflix

Industry, Season 3 (series)

This isn’t actually my recommendation. In fact, it was a reader who gave me a heads-up about Industry. He wrote that the series, which debuted in 2020, has never been able to reach the viewing figures it deserves despite having a loyal online fan base. But with the third season on the way, the series now seems ready to become the success it was always destined to be.

Industry revolves around a group of university graduates who work at Pierpoint & Company, a fictitious London-based investment bank. In the first season, they were hired on a trial basis, with only a fraction of them securing a permanent position at both the company and in the series’ extensive ensemble. What sets the series apart from a simple workplace drama, however, is the way Pierpoint breaks and bends the characters according to its own rules. In a desperate attempt to break free, the characters in Industry become increasingly unpredictable – and the third season’s no exception.

Release date: 30 October
Where: Sky Show

Did I miss a film or series that we should definitely watch this month? Let me know in the comments.