With the rise of streaming, the popularity of TV shows has been on the rise, and horror shows are no exception. October is the perfect time to binge-watch some good horror TV, so get your remote, turn on the television and turn off the lights as we get some Netflix and chills down our spine with these spooky season TV shows.
Readers of last week’s issue may remember that I mentioned the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” a sci-fi/horror series that takes place in 1980s Indiana and follows a group of small-town residents as they battle against interdimensional monsters. This series holds a special place in my heart since it made me fall in love with the horror genre. There is something for everyone to enjoy in “Stranger Things.” While it has strong horror elements, fans of sci-fi, coming-of-age and action/adventure are sure to enjoy one of Netflix’s strongest original series. And who doesn’t love Steve Harrington?
For those who don’t like intense horror, I recommend Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” The series stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as they solve murders that have taken place in their apartment building, The Arconia. While it’s about murder, at its heart the show is a comedy. My favorite aspect of the show is the strong chemistry between the three lead characters. While Steve Martin and Martin Short have collaborated for decades, Selena Gomez fits right in and holds her own against these comedy legends. Any scene with the trio is entertaining. With its glimpses of gore and moments of murder, “Only Murders in the Building” is the perfect October watch—be sure to catch up before season four ends!
When HBO’s “The Last of Us” was released, I was skeptical. I’m the kind of guy who tries not to get into popular things just to be different from everyone else (but also the guy who wrote an entire article about the most popular horror author and has mentioned several popular shows in the article alone). So when “The Last of Us” skyrocketed to popularity in 2023, its popularity and the fact that it was based on a video game scared me. Then something shocking happened: it was actually very good.
The show follows Joel and Ellie, two survivors of a Cordyceps disease that has led to the apocalypse. The first season follows them as they journey across the United States to use Ellie’s immunity to find a cure for the disease. I can’t reiterate how much I love “The Last of Us.” What surprised me the most about the show was how emotionally invested I was in the characters, especially Joel and Ellie. Both characters are so well-developed, and I cared about each of them so deeply by the time the season ended. In turn, the horror is way scarier; because I cared so deeply for these people, I was terrified every time they encountered the Infected. Essentially, “The Last of Us” does something that I wish more horror stories would do: letting the emotional beats breathe. This allows us to sit with characters and watch them grow. My love for “The Last of Us,” just like the Cordyceps disease, is highly contagious. I can’t wait for the second season!
Two things scare me the most: needles (ugh) and when a favorite book of mine gets a TV show adaptation. How are they going to expand a 200-page book into ten hours of television? Look no further than Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House.” The show is based on Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name, which is one of my favorite horror novels ever. So, no pressure. But creator Mike Flanagan does something unique with “Hill House.” He takes the novel’s plot and uses it as a springboard for his own reimagining. There is almost nothing in common with Shirley Jackson’s book except for the title and some of the characters. Some minuscule plot points make their way into the adaptation, but the overall story is very different. Adaptations are just that: adaptations. Not translations. By taking the central ideas of the novel and expanding them, Flanagan creates a show that is terrifying, thrilling, sad and hopeful at the same time. The result: one of the most unique horror shows I have ever seen.
Whether it’s Steve Martin or Steve Harrington, there are plenty of shows to watch during October. As Eleven once said, “Friends don’t lie,” and I’m not lying to you, my friends. There is plenty to enjoy. So gather your roommates, procrastinate that assignment and have yourself a watch party!
Or don’t. In which case, you might hear a demogorgon knocking on your door.
