Movies Update: Scary Movie Recommendations and More

Plus, the art of the scream.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 30, 2020 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans! Looking for some scares for Halloween? We’ve got you covered. Noel Murray picked out 13 of the most frightful movies on Netflix right now. Melena Ryzik took a deep dive into the art of the movie scream (listen to some of the most bloodcurdling selections). Young witches are stirring up a new brew in “The Craft: Legacy” (read our interview with the film’s director, Zoe Lister-Jones). And Salamishah Tillet took on Hulu’s “Bad Hair” to better understand how movies, horror and otherwise, have dealt with Black women’s hair. (Also, listen to some of the songs the director Justin Simien wrote for his movie.) Other frightening options this week: In theaters is the creepy “Come Play,” about a monster outsider invading our current technology, and on demand is “Spell,” about a lawyer trapped with some superstitious hosts. But it’s not all just chills out there. The acclaimed new Frederick Wiseman documentary, “City Hall,” makes its way to virtual cinemas along with a documentary about a doughnut mogul, “The Donut King.” Enjoy the movies! Maggie Shannon for The New York Times They Scream! We Scream! What’s more fundamental to scary movies than the bone-chilling shriek? But delivering a terrifying wail isn’t easy. It’s an entire art with a history and a world of its own. By Melena Ryzik Film Forum Critic’s Pick ‘City Hall’ Review: Frederick Wiseman, for the People In his latest movie, the celebrated documentarian explores the ideas and ideals, the faces and spaces of Boston’s City Hall. By Manohla Dargis Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT HALLOWEEN STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS The 13 Scariest Horror Movies on Netflix Right Now Halloween is nigh. These screamers are bound to get your blood curdling. By Noel Murray beyond the algorithm Chills, Thrills and Challenging Films: Here Are 10 to Stream In this spooky season, why not go out on a limb with these films off the beaten path? If you’re not up for creature features, we still have you covered. By Jason Bailey A Guide to New Horror Movies This Month From a killer weave to vampires in the Bronx, new movies are here to keep Halloween frightful. By Erik Piepenburg Halloween for Kids: Different This Year, but Still Delightful In New York, trick-or-treating has been curtailed, and parades called off. But there are plenty of ways to please and spook the little ones. By Alexis Soloski MOVIE REVIEWS Columbia/Sony Pictures   ‘The Craft: Legacy’ Review: More Dull Carbon Copy Than Cult Classic A new witchy foursome picks up the brooms in this follow-up of “The Craft” by Zoe Lister-Jones. By Kristen Yoonsoo Kim Kelly Walsh/Paramount Pictures   ‘Spell’ Review: Occult Reprogramming Omari Hardwick plays a lawyer who gets trapped in the superstition-laden enclave of Appalachia where he was raised. By Ben Kenigsberg Jasper Savage/Amblin Partners/Focus Features   ‘Come Play’ Review: Alexa, Find Me a Derivative Thriller In Jacob Chase’s film, a monster from another realm invades ours through phone screens and tablets. By Ben Kenigsberg K.A. Snyder Productions/Alamo Drafthouse Virtual Cinemas   ‘Us Kids’ Review: They’re Not All Right This documentary by Kim A. Snyder asks difficult questions about what it means to grow up in an America where gun violence is far too common. By Lovia Gyarkye Greenwich Entertainment   ‘The Donut King’ Review: Sweet Dreams This documentary traces the mercurial journey of a Cambodian refugee who became a doughnut mogul in California. By Devika Girish Steve Dietl/Netflix   ‘Holidate’ Review: That Special Seasonal Someone Emma Roberts stars as a single girl who arranges a standing date for every holiday in this noxious flick. By Natalia Winkelman Mika Cottelon/Netflix   ‘Rogue City’ Review: An Action Movie Skimping on Action Olivier Marchal’s film proves that gangsters and crooked cops can speak French and still spin clichés. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Strand Releasing   ‘Madre’ Review: A Tense Depiction of a Mother Undone Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s feature about a mother in Spain whose son disappears is a compelling and unsettling character study. By Glenn Kenny Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Will ‘Mank’ Be Netflix’s First Best-Picture Winner? David Fincher’s new film about the making of “Citizen Kane’ could be an Oscar favorite in a year dominated by streaming contenders. By Kyle Buchanan Zoe Lister-Jones on ‘The Craft’ and Women’s Power An outsider herself as a young woman, the director and actress wants teenage girls to relish a sense of community. By Melena Ryzik letter of recommendation The ‘Purge’ Films Reveal the Ugly Truth About America B movies often tell more honest stories about our society than finely calibrated award-season films do. By Blair McClendon CRITICS’ PICKS critic’s pick ‘Raining in the Mountain’ Review: A Martial Arts Gem From 1979 This recently restored film by King Hu is a spectacular, exhilarating entertainment. By Glenn Kenny critic’s pick ‘Time’ Review: What We Really Mean When We Say Mass Incarceration In Garrett Bradley’s moving documentary, a woman fights for her family and justice as a husband and father’s absence reverberates. By Lisa Kennedy Louder Stay on top of the latest in pop and jazz with reviews, interviews, podcasts and more from The New York Times music critics. Sign up How are we doing? 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