PC: Unsplash; A cozy autumnal movie viewing
You can tell, either by the new store deals or by the weather drastically changing, that we have officially entered autumn. Soon, we’ll be carving pumpkins, making plans for our costumes, and preparing for our fall drinks. And, for many, with fall comes school-free weeks and more time for the holidays. But what if you don’t have any outdoor activities ready? Or what if you prefer a cozy movie night with friends and family, with a fire in front of you and a warm fall drink in your hands? What if you would like to laugh at the characters, cry at the conclusion of a plot, or clutch your blanket as the final girl slowly opens a door? Well, here are some autumn movies that may just be about perfect for your preferences.
For Passing The Time
Maybe you have too much free time, or have finished everything and need something to pass the time. One suggestion would be the movie “Antigone”, directed by Sophie Deraspe. This movie is adapted from the Sophoclean play by the same name, and showcases Antigone: a young girl who fights for her brother’s freedom, and later her own after he is wrongfully imprisoned. I first watched this in my English class and thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the apparent and important themes that the director had included, and, additionally, the music. It’s interesting enough to draw you in and make time go by more quickly, but not too good that you ache every time you have to turn off the TV.
If you want something a little less heavy, “The Man Who Knew Too Little” is an excellent option. Directed by Jon Amiel, the majority of the movie is about a man, Wallace Ritchie, who thinks that he’s acting in a theater set, but is actually in the midst of a conspiracy against the government. It’s comedic and will definitely leave you laughing all throughout the plot. The minutes just pass by as you’re watching the movie with much interest, making this movie perfect as a time buffer if you ever need one.
For Autumn
If you would rather watch movies that connect to the season we’re currently in, there are many well-known movies centered around autumn. For October, we have “Skeleton Key", directed by Iain Softley. It’s a mystery that showcases a hospice nurse, Caroline Ellis, arriving at a house in the South to take care of an elderly man who had suffered a stroke. As time passes, both she and the audience become suspicious about the situation surrounding the man and of the people involved. When I had watched this, I had gained a lot of questions, but no answers until the very end, when everything was solved at once. And what a thrilling conclusion it is, leaving you shocked yet fully entertained.
Maybe you would just like a cozy movie, not necessarily something that connects to the season but something that reminds you of the weather. For example, a movie about the sea and fresh air for summer, or snow and marshmallows for winter. A suggestion that follows this would be “Good Will Hunting”, directed by Gus Van Sant. It’s a heartwarming slice-of-life movie that shows the development of the boy, Will Hunting, who has a genius IQ but is unsure of which path to take in his life. He’s guided by a therapist and soon reaches a conclusion that he himself is satisfied with. When watching this, I was surrounded by the cozy feeling that I can only get when watching movies like this: characters pulling themselves up from the lowest point of their lives or reconnecting with themselves in order to solve their problems. The backgrounds were filled with fall colors, bringing in some of that autumn theme, and the characters are fully fleshed out and relatable. You bond with them and, when it ends, you miss them until the next time you start the movie.
For Potential New Interests
What if you don’t necessarily need a movie to watch at this moment, but rather a new obsession or interest to focus on? Maybe all of your favorite series have come to an end or have become a bit too old to continuously fan about. Believe me, I know the feeling. A suggestion I would have for this predicament would be the “Knives Out” series, all directed by Rian Johnson. The three movies feature a detective, Benoit Blanc, solving cases filled with twists and surprises at every corner. I loved the pacing in the movies, as it shows how the detective solves the case clearly, alongside the wrapping up at the end; it always seems to leave the audience in shock. It’s very entertaining, and could in fact consume you whole. I have been exploring other mystery movies or thriller series similar to this one ever since I watched the first movie. I will say, though, the third movie has recently been released, and I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, but I’m sure that it’ll be as thrilling, mysterious, and entertaining for the characters as its counterparts.
There are many other options that may succeed in reaching your expectations, probably ones that are more famous than the suggestions I have given you here. But I have chosen these certain movies as they’re not as well-known despite their amazing writing, acting, and storyline; they’re simply movies that first introduced me to a genre, story, or an event in the world. I obviously won’t take it personally if you dislike a movie or decide to ignore my recommendations to watch something that you know you’ll like, but if you do choose to take me up on these suggestions, I promise you won’t regret it.
