WELCOME TO THE BLUMHOUSE
We’re never running out of horror anthologies to watch, but Welcome to the Blumhouse takes the genre to another level by taking the fulllength film route. It offers viewers suspensefilled offerings that are more than an hour-long each. There’s eight of them for now, starting with four that are already out on Amazon Prime Video: The Lie, Evil Eye, Black Box and Nocturne. Release dates for the second half of the series have yet to be revealed, but these four should get your adrenaline pumping while you while away those cold winter nights. Release date: 6 October
UNCLE FRANK
Uncle Frank is bound to be a tearjerker, if its nostalgic trailer is anything to go by. With such successes as Six Feet Under and True Blood under his belt, director Alan Ball sets his nuanced gaze toward the 1970s south. This tender film, with the underratedly brilliant Paul Bettany playing the titular character, isn’t just about finding belongingness in one’s own family and community. More importantly, it tackles issues of bigotry, societal norms and staying true to oneself, making it yet another well chosen release from Amazon. Release date: 25 November
TRUTH SEEKERS
There’s never a bad time for a Simon Pegg- Nick Frost collaboration, and their latest arrived just in time for Halloween. Truth Seekers isn’t just a Halloween show though. Its delightful and entertaining mix of horror, comedy and cosiness – with themes of family and friendship generously sprinkled in – make it a great series to binge-watch over the holiday break. And, while its twists and turns aren’t as impressive as the duo’s earlier feats like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, this show will charm you if you allow it to.
Release date: 30 October
SMALL AXE
With another film anthology to follow Welcome to the Blumhouse, it’s becoming clear that Amazon is a fan of the genre. While the Octoberreleased horror anthology has eight instalments, however, Small Axe comes with five full-length film episodes co-produced by the BBC. All five, written and directed by Steve McQueen, tackle the narratives of black people and their experiences, with the first three already getting critical acclaim. It’s a step in the right direction for an industry in which representation of people of colour has been underwhelming. Release date: 15 November
WAYNE (SEASON 1)
It’s too bad that Wayne never got its sophomore season before it got cancelled on YouTube Premium. However, its high approval ratings and strong viewership – not to mention, solid combination of romance, comedy, casually crude language and at times cavalier violence – are proof that this boymeets- girl, boy and girl then go on a Bonnieand- Clyde- charged road trip is worthy of a resuscitation. Amazon Prime Video is doing just that, and fans of the show are hoping this will lead to a second season. Release date: 6 November
THE PACK
What’s better to hug under the covers than cuddly puppies? In Amazon’s The Pack, however, 12 adorable dogs, alongside their humans, are doing more than cuddling. They’re heading outdoors – or, more accurately, around the world – in an epic Amazing-Race- esque competition, kayaking across lakes and racing through snowy alpine fields for glory, gold and $250,000 for their animal charity of choice. Hosted by Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn, this is going to be the fluffiest reality competition you’ll ever see.
Release date: 20 November