The Film Scout

October

By John Houzer

ost people associate October with the obvious: cool weather, comfy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and nature’s annual yellow-leaf confetti. But for me? October means one thing: horror movies and the start of Oscar season! It’s like Christmas, but for movie nerds. And yes, it’s a personal tradition to keep a horror movie playing 24/7, because why not set the mood with a few blood-curdling screams while sipping hot cider? But I digress. Can you believe we’re already here? Festival season is in full swing, films are getting early buzz, and I’m already building my Oscar bracket. Here are three movies I’m looking forward to this month.

Anora

This is a film I actually don’t know much about but that I’m very intrigued by. Written and directed by indie darling Sean Baker, Anora won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and that always makes me sit up and pay attention. I mean, when a movie wins Cannes, it’s basically the film world whispering, “You’re gonna want to watch this one.” And as someone whose end-of-year “Best Of” list is usually stacked with Palme d’Or winners, this one’s already circled in red on my calendar.

So what’s the deal with Anora? It’s about a young sex worker from Brooklyn who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Naturally, chaos ensues when his powerful parents find out, jetting to New York to shut it down. Now, I’m already getting “Succession” vibes with this setup: rich people drama, high stakes, backstabbing? Yes, please! If you’re familiar with Sean Baker’s earlier works like “The Florida Project” or “Red Rocket,” you know he doesn’t shy away from complex, raw characters and layered storytelling. I expect Anora to pack a similar punch. Plus, I always leave his films wondering, “How

did he make that work so well?” Catch Anora in theaters on October 17th.

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX

Let’s rewind to when I first heard a standalone Joker movie was in the works. I had feelings, okay? Mixed feelings, like when you find out your favorite band is doing a comeback tour, but as an EDM remix. I mean, on one hand, I’ve always said DC should just focus on making great movies instead of constantly trying to tie them all together in some awkward superhero crossover fanfiction. And Joker, directed by Todd Phillips and produced by Martin Scorsese himself, sounded like it had potential. But could Joaquin Phoenix really top the insanity Heath Ledger brought to the role?

Well, turns out the answer was an emphatic “Oh yes, he can.” The movie made over a billion dollars (with a B) and bagged Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for Best Actor, despite all the pre-release drama about how it would incite a mass shooting. (Remember that? Wild times.) The movie was dark, gritty, and way more about the broken man behind the clown makeup than any comic book movie we’d ever seen.

Now we’re getting a sequel, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” and I’m cautiously optimistic. They’re going the musical route this time, and if you’re rolling your eyes at the thought of Gotham City jazz hands, trust me, I get it. But with Lady Gaga stepping into the shoes of Harley Quinn, I have a feeling this movie might just surprise us. As a sucker for a good soundtrack, I’m curious to see how Phillips merges brutal character study with show-stopping numbers. Expect fireworks and possibly some synchronized dancing when Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on October 4th.

Terrifier 3

Now for the ultimate horror pick. “Terrifier 3,” the latest in the series that literally puts the “terror” in “Terrifier,” is here to make you question your sanity while doubling down on the blood-soaked grindhouse aesthetic. Directed by Damien Leone, this franchise has slowly clawed its way from the indie horror scene to cult classic status, thanks in large part to its lead antagonist, Art the Clown.

If Pennywise is the creepy clown you don’t want to meet in the sewers, Art is the one you wouldn’t want to run into... anywhere. Mute, psychotic, and armed with a complete lack of morals, Art has become one of horror’s newest icons. He doesn’t play by the rules—there’s no “moral code” here, just pure, unfiltered brutality. And as weird as it sounds, that’s kind of why these films work. You’re not here for deep, introspective character arcs; you’re here to see how creatively the filmmakers can make you cover your eyes.

Now, here’s what’s especially fun about Terrifier 3 – it’s set during Christmas. A holiday horror mash-up? Sign me up! This movie gives you the best of both worlds.

Deck the halls with blood splatter, because who says Christmas can’t get a little messy? Plus, it’s the ultimate horror movie for two holidays, so you can roll it out for both Halloween and Christmas viewing parties. The yuletide screams start October 11th.

So there you have it, three films that should definitely be on your radar this month. Whether you’re craving the next prestige drama with “Anora,” curious about what a Joker musical looks like, or ready to embrace the chaos of a Christmas-themed horror flick, October’s shaping up to be one wild ride. Oh, and if you need me, I’ll be the one in front of the TV, wrapped in a sweater, with a horror movie playing on loop.