The best thrillers to watch on Netflix this October

Happy October, Polygon readers!

Summer has officially fallen and is here, along with a slew of new Netflix movies and shows. While yes, we’re right dab in the middle of the spooky season (with a ton of recommendations for those looking for their own spin), a new batch of thrillers in case you’re looking for something a little more cool and chill this month.

From Tony Scott’s 2001 spy thriller starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt to the new Netflix original thriller starring Benicio del Toro, there’s plenty to enjoy this month. Here are the best thrillers to watch on Netflix in October.

Editor’s pick: Game explorer

Image: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Director: Tony Scott
Send: Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack

Lately, Tony Scott has been a master at creating thrillers that signaled plenty of charismatic actors to leave the room. His body is torn to the seams top gun and Worm Tide to Enemy of the state, Man to the fireand Déjà Vu.

Compared to those classics, Scott’s 2001 action thriller Game explorer not so great a care, but no less a delightful watch. Robert Redford stars as Nathan Muir, a CIA case officer who left until retirement one day. When Muir learns that Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt), a CIA field operative and former security guard, is being held captive in an East China prison, he goes into action to arrange his release and discover why the agency is so intent on finding him. cause to be doubted.

The film ping-pongs between the past and the present, from a globe-trotting detective to a clandestine bureaucratic drama, where lies and rhetorical misdirection are standard merchandise. It’s terrific to see the film’s leading actors act against each other, with Redford taking on the role of the hurtful mentor and Pitt the talented yet country-minded. comparatively light explosive, twisted, theatrical; Game explorer A solid thrill with a powerful cast that adds to the enjoyable experience. -Toussaint Egan

Reptile

Photo: Kyle Kaplan/Netflix

Director: Grant Singer
Send: Benicio del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Alice Silverstone

Music video director Dona Singer’s directorial debut is a compelling murder mystery that really jumps out because of how good watches. Singer and frequent horror movie filmmaker Mike GioulakisUs, follows, Under Silver) to adapt the film tangible from the beginning, and even the scenes of the dark time of the night are shot with vision and clarity.

Benicio del Toro stars as expert detective Tom Nichols. He is relatively new to the town for the film’s setting in Scarborough, Scotland, after falling out with the police earlier. When a young real estate agent is murdered, many strong suspects arise, including her boyfriend (Justin Timberlake) and her husband (Karl Glusman). But as investigator Nichols scratches the surface, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye.

I came across this movie that John Hyams, one of our favorite directors, worked on today, he called it “a masterclass in filmmakingwho are preparing Singer with David Fincher and Jonathan Glazer. I’m not good enough that high on the film, but it’s an exciting and timely thriller that consistently looks great and relies effectively on the skills of the leading man. –PV

Ballerina

Photo: Yoo Eun Mi/Netflix

Director: Lee Chung-hyeon
Send: Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Yu-rim

Next year there will be a new movie in the John Wick franchise. will be called Ballerinaof the assassin seeking revenge against the perpetrators of the murder.

This month, there’s a new movie from Netflix that takes heavy inspiration from the John Wick franchise. It is said Ballerinaof the assassin seeking revenge against the perpetrators of the murder.

No, you don’t see double. It’s just going to be this year.

This Ballerina comes from South Korea and is about a tough assassin (Jeon Jong-seo) who uses his skills to avenge the death of his best friend, whom he loved more than anything. (This film is filled with a queer subtlety that doesn’t claim to be in the text, but is actually there). Ballerina it shines because of Ion’s fantastic, quiet acting in the lead role, and solid choreography (which is unfortunately somewhat overshadowed by the editing and camera movement). It’s another solid entry in Netflix’s impressive crop of Korean action movies. –PV