5 Movies to Watch on Netflix This Weekend (Oct. 9-11)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread follows Reynolds Woodcock, a controlling London dressmaker whose meticulous routines mask a gothic undercurrent of danger when he meets Alma, a waitress who disrupts his ordered world. Their relationship evolves into a twisted battle for control, blending romance with unsettling intimacy and ritualistic control reminiscent of a cult. The film’s atmosphere of dread lingers long after the credits roll, making it a standout for October viewing.

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out sequel Wake Up Dead Man shifts the Benoit Blanc mystery to a dark religious setting in upstate New York, where a murdered monsignor’s progressive assistant becomes the prime suspect. The film contrasts ornate graveyards and religious iconography with a murder investigation steeped in class and faith, delivering Johnson’s most sincere and atmospheric entry in the series. Its gothic tone and supernatural undertones set it apart from the franchise’s usual cozy mysteries.

The Menu delivers a horror-comedy critique of foodie elitism as a renowned chef orchestrates a deadly tasting menu for wealthy patrons on a private island. Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy anchor a film that blends culinary precision with escalating violence, culminating in a bloody confrontation over privilege and pretension. Its 107-minute runtime and dark humor make it a compact, satisfying Halloween watch.

Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler follows Lou Bloom, a psychopathic freelance crime journalist who exploits violence for profit, portrayed with chilling detachment by Jake Gyllenhaal. The film’s Los Angeles at night becomes a nightmarish landscape where Lou’s lack of empathy blurs the line between observer and perpetrator. Its unflinching portrayal of moral decay makes it a psychological thriller as unsettling as any supernatural horror.