Thrill-Seeking: 3 Must-Watch Netflix Gems for Your Viewing Pleasure This Week (Oct 26-Nov 1)

As October draws to a close, Netflix remains focused on Halloween-themed content. The platform boasts a variety of horror films to enjoy during this eerie season, featuring titles like The Black Phone and Fear Street. While I appreciate a good scare, I tend to lean more toward thriller genres.

Recently, a film with a rather intriguing title was added to Netflix in the U.S. The plot centers on an enormous creature that consumes forbidden substances, leading to chaotic consequences. Another noteworthy film involves a deadly twist on the classic game of hide and seek. However, my top pick for this week showcases an extravagant dining experience intertwined with drama.

1

Cocaine Bear

It’s exactly what you think it is

This movie is one where I envy the actors involved. Imagine receiving a call from your agent asking you to audition for a film titled Cocaine Bear. Sounds unbelievable, right? Yet, this film is based on a true story about a bear that accidentally ingested a large amount of cocaine.

Set in 1985, the plot follows a drug smuggler who drops his cocaine stash from a plane into a secluded forest. Unfortunately for him, he never retrieves it. Instead, a massive black bear discovers the drugs and goes on a rampage, ultimately killing a hiker. The scene draws various individuals—drug dealers looking for the cocaine, a couple of teenagers, a worried mother, and a park ranger—into the woods, unaware that a wild, drug-fueled bear is on the loose.

While Cocaine Bear might seem absurd, it blends dark humor with surprising moments of fun. The film delivers genuine thrills and comedic twists, proving that it understood the assignment and succeeded in offering an entertaining horror-comedy experience.

2

Ready or Not

Start running

The classic horror film Scream ushered a new style of horror that mixes comedy with suspense. For every moment of violence, there’s a witty quip. Ready or Not, released in 2019, embraces this blend while also critiquing the rich and powerful, resulting in a thrilling ride.

In this film, Samara Weaving plays Grace MacCaullay, who is about to marry Alex Le Domas (Mark O’Brien) from a quirky family known for their board games. On her wedding night, Grace is introduced to the Le Domas family and learns that according to their tradition, she must play a game. Drawing the hide-and-seek card, she initially views it as innocent fun, but soon discovers that this game has deadly stakes. If the family fails to find and sacrifice her, they all could face dire consequences.

With intense sequences twisted by dark humor, Ready or Not has earned its place as a significant horror film. Weaving excels in her role, embodying the ultimate final girl. The film’s success has cemented the directors as major players in the horror genre.

This isn’t an ordinary dinner

If you love fine dining, prepare for a wild ride with The Menu. Director Mark Mylod presents a dark comedy that sharply critiques our culture’s obsession with social media and status. It hilariously targets food influencers, tech moguls, and so-called elites alike.

In the film, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) accompanies enthusiast Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) to a private island for a lavish meal at a restaurant led by chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). The guest list includes a disgruntled film star (John Leguizamo), a food critic (Janet McTeer), and a crew of self-important business partners. What starts as a promising dining experience quickly spirals into chaos, making for an unforgettable meal—though likely not for the reasons anyone anticipated.

Without spoiling too much, The Menu serves up a delightful mix of satire and fantasy as it showcases a group of pretentious characters.

More movies and shows to watch on Netflix

This month also features the return of various series. Nobody Wants This is back for its third season, and Lupin returns with Part 4. Documentary lovers can check out Sly or Instadocs: AI Gone Wild for engaging new content.