Horror roundup: three big releases tested, one popular adaptation falls flat

This weekend’s October releases give Halloween viewers clear choices: a streaming prequel that deepens a familiar franchise, a big-screen adaptation that disappoints, and a videogame that captures the source material’s mood. If you want to spend your time wisely, here’s a concise guide to what’s worth watching or skipping over the next few days.

TV — Crystal Lake

Where to watch: Peacock (US); Sky (UK); Stan (AU)

Verdict: Worth bingeing

The new limited series serves as a prequel to the Friday the 13th saga and delivers the kind of slow-burn world-building horror fans crave right before Halloween. All eight episodes are available at once, which makes it an easy weekend commitment for anyone who enjoys long-form franchise storytelling.

What sets this entry apart is its focus on the backstory of Pamela Voorhees, a figure who has been peripheral in many past instalments. The series leans into the original films’ mythology while expanding emotional context, and the lead performance gives the material a human center that helps the darker elements land.

Movie — Other Mommy

Where to watch: In cinemas worldwide

Verdict: Pass

The film adapts the short-story collection Incidents Around the House and casts Jessica Chastain in a dual role: a mother and a mimicking entity. On paper, the premise promised a tense, psychological horror experience. In practice, the movie relies heavily on familiar jump-scare mechanics and departs from the original’s creeping dread.

Those who loved the book for its atmosphere will likely be frustrated: the adaptation strips much of the source’s subtle unease in favor of conventional scares. If you’re seeking intelligent, unsettling horror, this one underdelivers; if you want a straightforward supernatural outing, it will check the box but not linger.

Game — Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival

Where to play: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC

Verdict: Highly recommended

From seasonal haunted attractions to a new interactive entry, Hellraiser has been prominent this month — and the game is a standout. Revival respects the franchise’s darker beats and faithfully recreates the oppressive atmosphere associated with Clive Barker’s world.

Players will encounter familiar iconography and the return of Pinhead, but the title also combines puzzle design and suspense in ways that keep tension high without resorting to cheap tricks. It’s a solid pick if you want an immersive horror experience that feels canon-friendly and genuinely unnerving.

• Best for a long weekend binge: Crystal Lake — strong character focus and mythology expansion.
• Skip if you want thoughtful scares: Other Mommy — leans on jump scares and loses the book’s psychological edge.
• Best interactive scare: Hellraiser: Revival — atmospheric, canon-aware, and tense.

Title	Where	Quick verdict
Crystal Lake	Peacock / Sky / Stan	Watch: binge-worthy prequel with strong lead work
Other Mommy	Cinemas	Skip: adaptation that flattens the novel’s tension
Hellraiser: Revival	PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC	Play: faithful, well-crafted horror game

Whether you plan to stream, go out to the cinema, or plug in a controller, these releases offer clearly different experiences. If your priority is atmosphere and narrative depth, start with Crystal Lake or the game; if you want something lighter and more conventional, the new film will suffice — but don’t expect it to haunt you after the credits roll.