What's New on Netflix Australia in October 2017

Stranger Things series 2 comes to Netflix October 27

Stranger Things 2 promo pic
Netflix

Stranger Things 2 promo pic

Stranger Things 2 promo pic

October is the final month of reprieve before November 1st, at which point every retail store and office in the western hemisphere will alternate blaring – all the way into January – Michael Bublé’s and Mariah Carey’s Christmas albums. To top it off, Jan from HR can be overheard in the lunchroom proclaiming her love for “Michael Bubble”.   

So try to enjoy October while it lasts. We’ve done our part by listing Netflix’s best titles of the month, even ending on some spooky titles in time for Halloween.

Suburra (Series)

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Godfather trilogy fans assemble - Netflix’s first Italian original is here, and it’s all about the Mafia. Based on the eponymous book by Carlo Bonini and Giancarlo de Cataldo, Suburra explores the territory wars fought between government, church and mafia. In a nation veiled in Catholicism, Netflix’s carte blanche comes as a blessing; this story will be as gritty and uncensored as its creators want it to be. Think gruesome murders, priest-filled orgies, that kind of thing.

Church bells will toll, and heads will roll on October 6.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Documentary)

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Oscar-nominated director David France and activist Victoria Cruz revisit the suspicious death of transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson in 1992. A vivid and influential figure in New York’s queer scene, her death - she was found floating in the Hudson River - was unrightfully dismissed by the NYPD as a suicide. Follow Cruz as she sifts through old evidence, re-examines the facts with fresh eyes, and interviews those closest to Johnson in her quest for the truth. Unwavering and unapologetic, this pertinent documentary underscores how, almost thirty years after Johnson’s death, many LGBTQ+ groups are still fighting for recognition and equal rights.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson  airs on October 6.

Dynasty (Series)

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Now’s the time tell mum that her favourite 80s primetime soap is getting a reboot. For those who don’t know, Dynasty centers on two of America’s wealthiest families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, who bicker and feud so much it puts the Capulets and Montagues to shame. The new series is produced by CBS TV Studios in association with Fake Empire, and will be helmed by Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz.

Not keen on yet another show about rich people problems? At least there is one positive - Learning from 2016’s #OscarsSoWhite embarrassment, Hollywood has recast the Colby family with black actors.

Dynasty airs October 12

Riverdale Season 2 (Series)

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Your favourite Archie Comics cartoon-characters-reimagined-with-really-hot-actors are back! In case you missed it, season one was a dramatic rollercoaster of cold-blooded murder, motorcycle gangs, drug trafficking and student-teacher affairs. It really makes you wonder how these high schoolers are finding any time to do their homework. And though we finally found out who killed Jason Blossom, the drama never ends in Riverdale – a sleepy town that’s somehow more cursed than Derry in Stephen King’s IT. Season two will unveil the mysterious business tycoon Hiram Lodge, introduce Betty’s long lost brother, as well as see the return of Geraldine Grundy – Riverdale’s very own Mrs. Robinson.

Riverdale season 2 episodes air each week starting October 12.

Mindhunter (Series)

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Executive produced by David Fincher and Charlize Theron, Mindhunter is a detective drama that goes inside the minds of America’s most notorious serial killers. Set in 1979, two FBI agents interview and analyze murderers to try and prevent future crimes – “how do we get ahead of crazy if we don’t know how crazy thinks?”

An unenviable job, it’s safe to say that these agents will let these perps get under their skin in the process. I predict a nervy b or two.

This series marks Fincher’s return to Netflix, after directing the first two episodes of House of Cards way back when. He’s also well acquainted with the serial killer format: his 2007 film Zodiac uncovered California’s infamous Zodiac Killer, and who could forget what was in the box in his 1995 thriller Se7en?

Mindhunter airs on October 13.

The Meyerowitz Stories (Series)

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The Meyerowitz Stories is a comedic drama that details the lives of three adult siblings and their strained relationship with their father. The first reviews are in, and they are overwhelmingly positive. Yes, Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale) was a fantastic writer/producer/director, and yes, two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman was also fantastic. But what has actually shocked critics and audiences thus far is Adam Sandler’s performance. It seems that his goofball man-child persona is no longer, with Variety calling his acting a “glorious thing to watch”. This is the same Variety that published an article called “Adam Sandler’s 10 Worst Movies Ever”.

The Meyerowitz Stories airs on October 13.  

Patton Oswalt: Annihilation (Stand-Up Comedy)

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If you’re not familiar with Patton Oswalt’s comedy, you’ll probably know him for his acting – the man’s been in countless movies. No? Then you’ll definitely know his voice – He was Remy in Ratatouille, and has voiced various characters in shows such as American Dad, SpongeBob SquarePants, Futurama, BoJack Horseman, Rick and Morty, Archer… the list doesn’t end.

And as for Oswalt’s comedy clout, look no further than his role as Garth Blundon in Parks and Recreation, for which he won a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. This YouTube video reveals why: he completely improvised a nine-minute-long passionate proposal for the plot of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Patton Oswalt: Annihilation airs October 17.

1922 (film)

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Based on Stephen King’s eerie novella of the same name, 1922 is told by Wilfred James, an unreliable narrator who confesses that he killed his wife Arlette with his son’s help. After burying her body, he is terrorized by rats, and becomes convinced that Arlette is haunting him. The film is directed by Zak Hilditch (These Final Hours), and stars Thomas Jane (The Punisher), Molly Parker (House of Cards) and Dylan Schmid (Once Upon a Time).

There have been a slew of Stephen King adaptations this year, but IndieWire’s Eric Kohn reckons 1922 is the best, and has given it a higher review than IT.

1922 airs on October 20.

Stranger Things 2 (series)

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Now, time to eclipse all other October titles – nay, all of 2017’s titles: Stranger Things 2 is finally here!

The ode to ‘80s nostalgia and childhood adventure, that’s spawned some of 2016’s best Halloween costumes and sets (think: grown men dressed as Eleven in her frilly dress and jacket, and living room walls lit up with alphabetized Christmas lights) is finally back for its second instalment. It’s now 1984, and all seems to be well after Eleven vanquished the Demogorgon that almost killed Will Byers. However, the Upside Down is not yet done with Will, or with the rest of Hawkins, Indiana.

Stranger Things 2 airs on October 27.

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