October 2025 has given us plenty of new Netflix movies to enjoy – and, while some have been enjoyable, others haven't been.
It's pretty fitting, then, that one of the final new movies to land on the best streaming service this month is a new psychological thriller – Ballad of a Small Player – has received decidedly mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. You'll have to read on to find out why Colin Farrell's new Netflix venture has proved so divisive.
New Netflix movies: October
Ballad of a Small Player
Release date: October 29
Runtime: 102 minutes
Age rating: 16+ (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Colin Farrell, Tilda Swinton, Fala Chen, Alex Jennings, and Deanie Ip
Director: Edward Berger
RT score: 50% (critics); 49% (audience)
With two excellent films under his belt in multi-award nominated offerings All Quiet on Western Front and Conclave, I had high hopes for Edward Berger's latest cinematic venture. Unfortunately, the Farrell-led vehicle has proven divisive with fans and critics, with some praising Farrell's unhinged performance and the movie's visual identity, and others lashing out at its turgid story that gambles on its thematic exploration of addiction. For what it's worth, my colleague Jasmine Valentine gave it 3.5 / 5 stars in their Ballad of a Small Player review, so I'd highly recommend reading that if you want a TechRadar expert's view on the psychological thriller.
A House of Dynamite
Release date: October 24
Runtime: 115 minutes
Age rating: 16+ (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, and Tracy Letts
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
RT score: 78% (critics); 78% (audience)
The latest feature from The Hurt Locker's award-winning director, A House of Dynamite is an apocalyptic political thriller that's one of the most suspenseful films of the year. Featuring an all-star cast, it tells the fictional tale of a single nuclear warhead being fired at the United States and its government's attempts to work out who's behind the attack – and how to stop it. A movie that slowly ratchets up the tension throughout its near-two hour runtime, Bigelow's newest film has been praised by many, but its anticlimactic ending has caused ructions online, with multiple viewers expressing frustration over its ending. My advice? Watch this timely movie ASAP and see if you agree with those sentiments.
The Twits
Release date: October 17
Runtime: 102 minutes
Age rating: PG (US); PG (UK)
Cast: Margo Martindale, Johnny Vegas, Natalie Portman, Emilia Clarke, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Director: Phil Johnston
RT score: 52% (critics); 54% (audience)
A modern retelling of one of Roald Dahl's most famous books, Netflix's take on The Twits hasn't been as well received as some might have expected. It retains the skeleton of its source material's story and its animation style is certainly unusual, but the Phil Johnston-helmed movie is largely devoid of the charm and menace that Dahl's literary works possesses in spades. Unless you need to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours over Halloween weekend, I'd suggest giving one of October's new October movies a wider berth.
The Woman in Cabin 10
Release date: October 10
Runtime: 95 minutes
Age rating: 16-plus (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, David Ajala, Art Malik, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, David Morrissey, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham
Director: Simon Stone
RT score: 26% (critics); 31% (audience)
The latest in a long line of Netflix Movie Originals that's been critically panned, The Woman in Cabin 10 isn't as thrilling as its premise suggests. In the film adaptation of Ruth Ware's book namesake, Knightley plays Laura Blackstock, a journalist who believes she sees someone get murdered after they're thrown overboard from a luxury yacht. Determined to unearth the truth, Blackstock sets about investigating what happened, only to put her own life in danger as a result. A stacked cast this movie may have, but one that lacks the big and/or shocking plot twists that similar genre fare are laced with. A film you should let sink beneath the waves.
Steve
Release date: October 3
Runtime: 93 minutes
Age rating: R (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson among others
Director: Tim Mielants
RT score: 78% (critics); 66% (audience)
Based on Max Porter's bestselling novel Shy, this English drama sees Cillian Murphy portray the titular character, who's the headteacher of a last-chance reform school. As Steve battles to keep the educational center open in a bid to give its rowdy young adults a better chance at life, the struggling protagonist forms a close bond with Shy, a troubled teen who might just help Steve reconcile with his past – and really fight this school's future. Critics have lauded Steve for its topical subject matter, and stellar performances from Murphy and Lycurgo in particular. One to stick on Netflix this weekend, but make sure you're in the right frame of mind to stream something this emotionally taxing before you do.
What new Netflix movies are coming soon?
New Netflix movies are set to land on the platform more regularly in the final two months of 2025. Here's a rundown of the most notable flicks yet to launch on the service:
- Frankenstein (November 7)
- A Merry Little Ex-Mas (November 12)
- In Your Dreams (November 14)
- Nouvelle Vague (November 14)
- Champagne Problems (November 19)
- Train Dreams (November 21)
- Jingle Bell Heist (November 26)
- Troll 2 (December 1)
- My Secret Santa (December 3)
- Jay Kelly (December 5)
- Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (December 12)
- Goodbye June (December 24)
For more Netflix-based coverage, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.
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