13 Movies to See in October: ‘No Time To Die,’ ‘Dune,’ ‘French Dispatch’ & More

“Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” 
With his films “Happy Hour” and “Asako I & II,” director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi was already on his way to becoming one of the more notable independent directors of recent years. This year he’s further cemented that status with two films making the festival rounds with “Drive My Car” and “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.” The latter, which opens this month, follows three women in separate stories dealing with modern relationships. The film stars Fusako Urabe, Kotone Furukawa, and Katsuki Mori with an eye for distant human connection that resembles Abbas Kiarostami.
Release Date: October 15 via Film Movement.

“Halloween Kills“
Despite a relative success with his last addition to this franchise, David Gordon Green risks overstaying his welcome with “Halloween Kills.” Picking up after 2018’s “Halloween,” Jamie Lee Curtis returns as an injured Laurie Strode as she leads a vigilante mob to hunt down the seemingly unstoppable killer Michael Meyers to end his reign of terror. Judy Greer, Will Patton, and Anthony Michael Hall also star. Our critic who saw the film at the Venice Film Festival wrote, “What tension can there be when there’s a killer who is virtually unkillable and absolutely ubiquitous? It’s genuinely striking how few fake-outs or red herrings or surprises there are.”
Release Date: October 15 in theaters via Universal and streaming on Peacock. 

“Bergman Island” 
Mia Hansen-Løve has carved out a remarkable niche for herself with films such as “Eden” and “Things to Come,” all focusing on the delicacy of life. She returns with “Bergman Island,” starring Vicky Krieps (“Phantom Thread“), Tim Roth (“The Hateful Eight“) and Mia Wasikowska (“Only Lovers Left Alive.”) The story follows two American filmmakers as they retreat to Fårö island which is where the legendary Ingmar Bergman shot his most celebrated films. Our critic who saw the film said of Hansen-Løve’s latest “…she looks inward, finds a story that few who are not filmmakers noodling their way through mild creative crises have much reason to care about.” Still, it’s Hansen-Løve and a great cast.
Release Date: October 15 via IFC Films.

“The Last Duel” 
Director Ridley Scott is about to have a busy year, with two high-profile films being released by the end of 2021. While we have to wait a bit longer for the Lady Gaga-led “House of Gucci,” his “The Last Duel” arrives this month. Starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck, and “Killing Eve” breakout Jodie Comer, “The Last Duel,” based on the novel from Eric Jager, the historical drama follows Comer’s character who accuses her husband’s (Damon) best friend, Jean de Carrouges (Driver) of raping her. When no one believes her, her husband challenges his friend to a duel in the last legally sanctioned duel in the country’s history. The film premed at this year’s Venice film festival, where our critic found it surprisingly enjoyable. 
Release Date: October 15 in theaters via 20th Century Studios.

“The Velvet Underground“
Director Todd Haynes (“Carol“) joins the growing list of notable filmmakers turning their gaze to the defining musicians of the last century. His music documentary follows the band The Velvet Underground as they create a new sound that will forever change the world of music, cementing its place as one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most revered bands. Our critic wrote “The Velvet Underground” won’t be for all audiences; it’s often as cacophonous and anarchic as the band and Warhol’s factory creativity (no clue what normies watching AppleTV+ are going to make of it), but it’s a fitting, perfect encapsulation of that thrilling era in cross-pollinating, boundary-breaking art, performance, and music.”
Release Date: October 15 on Apple TV+.