9 Newish Movies to Rent This Month

As a film enthusiast with a particular fondness for thrillers and a deep appreciation for Halle Berry’s acting prowess, I must say that the trailer for “Never Let Go” piqued my interest immediately. The idea of a mother protecting her children from an unseen evil while dealing with their doubts about the truth of her stories is both intriguing and unsettling – much like raising teenagers, am I right?


Due to the COVID-19 lockdown period, studios have progressively adopted the notion that a significant number of viewers prefer watching major films from home. Whether it’s due to the pandemic, expensive movie tickets, or bothersome fellow audience members, the truth is that many people are content to wait – and studios aren’t keeping them waiting for long.

In today’s world, it’s a far cry from the days when we had to wait six months for a movie release after its theater debut. Now, this very month, some of the year’s most anticipated films are within our grasp! One of them is still reigning supreme at the box office. With an abundance of entertainment choices at your disposal, it can be challenging to decide what’s worth your time. Worry not, dear viewer! Each month, we’ll curate a list of about ten movies that are currently available for rent or streaming on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and FandangoNow. So grab some popcorn, settle into your favorite spot on the couch, and feel free to take as many breaks as you need – no judging here!

October 1

Deadpool & Wolverine

Directed by Shawn Levy, 128 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=73_1biulkYk

Without a doubt, the standout superhero film of the year is undeniably the third installment of “Deadpool”. This movie is an extraordinary amalgamation of outsider characters, taking viewers on a rollercoaster journey through the Fox universe’s superheroes, which, in essence, have merged with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ryan Reynolds once again assumes the role of the wisecracking anti-hero, Deadpool, this time teaming up with Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine, despite his apparent demise in “Logan”. Filled with nods to a myriad of elements, from “Blade” to the non-existent “Gambit” movie, “Deadpool & Wolverine” was crafted for ardent superhero enthusiasts, who have eagerly embraced it. With this helpful guide, you can now enjoy the numerous Easter eggs from the comfort of your home!

Speak No Evil

Directed by James Watkins, 110 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=FjzxI6uf8H8

Within mere weeks of its theater debut, director James Watkins’ remake of the 2022 Danish horror film has now made its way to haunt home viewers as well. The story centers around an American duo, portrayed by Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis, who previously starred together in ‘Halt and Catch Fire’. During their vacation, they strike up a friendship with a British couple, played by James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi. The quartet decides to visit the remote abode of their new friends, but things quickly turn sour. Critics have praised McAvoy’s performance, despite Louis Peitzman from our team labeling the remake’s conclusion as a “timid retreat.

Strange Darling

Directed by JT Mollner, 96 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=bchFuY46gSA

Fans of horror movies have grown so accustomed to streaming platforms like Netflix or Shudder that it’s hard to convince them to pay for Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) for a new release, but one of the most highly anticipated horror films in years might just be worth the investment. The film, “Strange Darling,” directed by JT Mollner, premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2023 and hit theaters this past August. Unlike typical slasher movies, it tells a story of a murder spree in an unconventional, non-linear way, keeping viewers guessing and on the edge of their seats. An interesting fact about “Strange Darling”: It was shot on 35 mm by Giovanni Ribisi – yes, the actor!

October 4

The Killer’s Game

Directed by J.J. Perry, 104 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=reQVL41DRmM

In a Lionsgate action movie, Dave Bautista stars as Joe Flood, a hitman whose world is flipped when his doctor tells him he has a terminal illness. To ensure his beloved gets the insurance money she needs, he arranges for himself to be targeted by top assassins worldwide. However, he later discovers that the diagnosis was incorrect. This intriguing plot didn’t fare well in theaters (it came in seventh during its opening weekend), so many people will have their first viewing of it at home or may even learn about it for the first time!

October 8

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Directed by Tim Burton, 104 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=As-vKW4ZboU

If you had any doubt they’re going to remake or legacy-sequel every major property from the ’80s and ’90s, the massive success of this horror-comedy should put that to rest. More than ever, people love the familiar when they open their wallets at the theater, and it doesn’t hurt when that comfort is connected to something they loved when they were younger. Michael Keaton returns to Tim Burton’s twisted world for this sequel that finds Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz trying to keep her family together. From its red-carpet premiere at Venice to its confusing ending, this was the biggest movie of September 2024. And it’s already coming to VOD, VOD!

October 11

Never Let Go

Directed by Alexandre Aja, 101 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=-H3yhfkJBnQ

In this suspenseful film, Halle Berry plays a mother whose identity remains unknown, living in seclusion with her children. To ensure their safety from the sinister threats lurking near their isolated residence, they are bound by a rope every time they leave to gather necessities. Some viewers might ponder if the tether represents masks or vaccines in light of current events. However, delving deeper into the narrative, Never Let Go explores themes of mental health and trauma as Berry’s sons begin to doubt the reality of their mother’s warnings about the perils outside. Although the director behind movies like High Tension and Crawl holds back slightly, this movie could be an appealing choice for horror enthusiasts during Halloween, particularly while staying at home.

October 15

Alien: Romulus

Directed by Fede Alvarez, 119 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=x0XDEhP4MQs

As a devoted fan, it’s been more than just a few years since we’ve seen a genuine sequel to the iconic ‘Alien’ film, as Ridley Scott’s controversial recent installments were set in a universe predating Ripley. The seventh movie in the series (or ninth if you count those with a Predator), directed by Fede Alvarez, takes place between ‘Alien’ and ‘Aliens’, on a space station known as Romulus. Here, a fresh crew of space truckers confront face huggers and xenomorphs, allowing the director of ‘Evil Dead’ to demonstrate his prowess in creating tension and impressive production design. Notably, David Jonsson delivers an outstanding performance in this film. The ending’s bold moves sparked debate among viewers, while some missed Ripley’s presence. Regardless, this movie was a significant success for many fans like myself.

October 22

Transformers One

Directed by Josh Cooley, 104 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=jaVcDaozGgc

The series about transforming robots has left Michael Bay behind, returning to its roots as a vibrant cartoon. This telling of the early days of Optimus Prime and Megatron had one of the worst trailers in recent history, but the film itself supposedly works. Critics claimed that it brought heart back to the series, and opened the door for more animated adventures for the Transformers crew, which our ranking of all the films in this series argues “makes the prospect of more Transformers movies like this feel like a little treat instead of a chore.”

October 29

The Substance

Directed by Coralie Fargeat, 141 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=LNlrGhBpYjc

There’s nothing quite like Coralie Fargeat’s hit movie, a unique body-horror film that has sparked debate since its premiere at Cannes in May. It’s worth experiencing to find out which camp you belong to when it comes to one of the most contentious films of recent times. Demi Moore delivers her finest career performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging actress who gets a second chance thanks to a mystical substance that creates a youthful duplicate, portrayed by Margaret Qualley. This film, a fearless critique of our image-driven society, is a powerful punch that merits multiple viewings. It makes for an intriguing backdrop at your Halloween party (just ensure everyone has eaten before the climactic scene).

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2024-10-04 01:54