This is the time of year that I truly find myself getting lost in films. Life feels like it slows down with the season change, and curling up with a movie becomes one of the simplest, most absorbing pleasures.
Anyone who knows me well knows that my one true love is cinema. I thought I’d share a few October film recommendations here: movies that I found carry the weight, mystery, and beauty of the season.
1. Ordet (1955) Directed by Carl Th. Dreyer
This film completely captivated my attention. Ordet centers on the Borgen family in rural Denmark during the autumn of 1925. One of the brothers, Johannes, believes himself to be Jesus Christ. I’m always drawn to films that wrestle with faith and miracles, and Ordet does so better than most. It’s austere, bleak, and transcendent all at once. Once you press play, it’s impossible to look away; Dreyer’s stillness pulls you in until the final scene leaves you completely undone.
2. The World’s Greatest Sinner (1962) Directed by Timothy Carey
This film is a pure gem. For me, it embodies the raw, unpredictable energy of rock and roll, complete with a score composed by a young Frank Zappa. The story follows an insurance salesman who reinvents himself as God, and with the magick power of rock ’n’ roll and seduction, gains a cultlike following that pushes him into politics. It’s chaotic, fearless, and unlike anything else ever made. I feel like it’s essential viewing for all Americans living in our current political climate.
3. Daughters of Darkness (1971) Directed by Harry Kümel
This has long been one of my favorite films for this time of year. It’s seductive, mysterious, and completely captivating. All four of the leads have an effortless coolness… they’re magnetic, stylish, and impossible to look away from. Delphine Seyrig, in particular, is a true goddess, gliding through the film like a flame. Every frame feels drenched in desire and danger. Daughters of Darkness is one of those movies I wish I could live inside of.
4. The Honeymoon Killers (1970) Directed by Leonard Kastle
This is another film that’s stayed on my mind. It’s campy in all the right ways and stars the unforgettable Shirley Stoler, who later appeared on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Inspired by the true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck who were the notorious “lonely hearts killers” of the 1940s. The film walks a fascinating line between the grotesque and the absurd. Part dark comedy, part tragedy, entirely its own. It’s one of those films that feels handmade, strange, brilliant, and absolutely fantastic.
5. The Murder of Mr. Devil (1970) Directed by Ester Krumbachová
I think about this movie far more often than is probably healthy… I loved it that much. It’s wickedly funny in the most unexpected ways. The story follows a lonely woman who longs to marry and meets Mr. Devil, a man with an insatiable appetite (he literally starts eating her furniture) who quickly reveals himself to be the boyfriend from hell. Beneath its surreal humor, the film delivers a brutal and insightful look at how judgmental men can be toward women revealing the way they fixate on flaws yet continue to demand nurturing. This film is entirely unforgettable.
I could go on forever but these are the films that have been lingering in my mind this October. I’d love to hear what’s been on your radar, so please send me your recommendations! There’s nothing better than discovering new cinematic escapes, especially as the nights grow longer and colder.
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