This Halloween season, consider streaming movies that lean into ominous vibes, pervasive isolation, and creeping dread without resorting to typical horror tropes. Netflix offers a selection of stylish, dark films that explore gothic murder mysteries, existential science fiction, and chilling psychological thrillers.
Phantom Thread
Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread presents a decadent period romance centered on Reynolds Woodcock, a renowned dressmaker who thrives on meticulous control. His ordered world is disrupted by Alma, a young waitress who becomes his model, muse, and lover. What begins as a seemingly romantic entanglement evolves into an unsettling gothic tale about a young woman navigating the strange world of a brilliant, domineering man. The fashion house itself feels akin to a cult, filled with hushed conversations and dogmatic rituals, fostering a pervasive sense that something is subtly wrong. The relationship between Reynolds and Alma shifts into a twisted battle for control, culminating in a bizarre and surprisingly unsettling form of intimacy.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Rian Johnson's latest Benoit Blanc film, Wake Up Dead Man, ventures into darker territory. The eccentric detective is tasked with investigating a seemingly impossible murder within a small religious community in upstate New York, overseen by the intense Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. When Wicks is found dead, suspicion falls on his new assistant, Father Jud Duplenticy, whose progressive approach clashed with the Monsignor’s fiery sermons. The film's gothic atmosphere, marked by ornate graveyards and religious iconography, explores themes of faith and the supernatural. Beneath its playful plotting, Wake Up Dead Man is noted for its sincerity and may be the best installment in the Knives Out series to date.
The Menu
Directed by Mark Mylod, The Menu satirizes foodie culture and the pretension of the ultra-wealthy. A group of affluent diners travels to a private island for an exclusive tasting menu prepared by the celebrated Chef Julian Slowik, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes. Among the guests is Margot, who accompanies the obnoxious foodie Tyler. As the night progresses, the meticulously crafted menu becomes increasingly menacing, with each dish serving as a judgment on the guests' insufferable privilege. Fiennes delivers an unnerving performance as Slowik, a cult-like figure wielding a kitchen knife, while Nicholas Hoult plays against type as the despicable Tyler. Anya Taylor-Joy is perfectly cast as Margot, the grounded outsider positioned as the film's potential survivor. The film masterfully juxtaposes its pristine culinary aesthetic with simmering violence and dark humor, making it a compact and compelling watch.
Nightcrawler
Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler transforms Los Angeles into a dangerous and alien landscape after dark. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a charismatic petty thief who discovers a lucrative career in freelance crime journalism. By scouring the night with a police scanner and camera, Lou captures footage of accidents and crimes to sell to a local news producer. His pursuit of success leads him to blur the lines between observation and manipulation, willing to create or escalate incidents for a more compelling story. Lou emerges as a chilling 21st-century movie monster, his lack of empathy masked by ambition and a disturbing, almost alien demeanor. The film itself is a difficult, yet compelling, watch, exploring the monstrousness that lurks beneath the surface.
Ad Astra
James Gray's Ad Astra follows astronaut Roy McBride, a man defined by his almost supernatural emotional control. His composure is put to the test when mysterious energy surges threaten the solar system, potentially linked to an expedition led by his presumed-dead father. Roy embarks on a journey across space to find him, a mission that mirrors his struggle with the emotional distance between them. Gray depicts space as a bleak, hostile void, even as humanity expands. The vastness of space is juxtaposed with a sense of claustrophobia, and human outposts feel desolate. The film is moody and atmospheric, punctuated by rare bursts of action. Its terror is largely existential, framing the solar system as a haunted house and Roy's quest as a confrontation with his father's specter. Ad Astra ultimately probes whether humanity is alone, offering potentially frightening answers.