Dr. Brain

Cast: Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Yoo-young, and Park-Hee soon.

Premise: A brilliant brain scientist strives to solve the mysterious circumstances behind his family’s death by “synching” with the minds of the deceased. Things get complicated when he gets mired in other’s experiences, making it impossible to detangle their memories from his own.

First impression: We expected nothing less from Kim Jee-won, the visionary director whose previous works include A Tale of Two Sisters and I Saw The Devil. It’s safe to say that he has now brought his ominous and heart-pounding stylings to TV, so do expect to be enthralled and horrified in equal measure.

What the Internet is saying: Rotten Tomatoes has since garnered an 80% approval rating, with critics claiming that viewers will have plenty of “cerebral thrills” to mull over.

Release date: 4 November.

Love Hard

Cast: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, and Darren Barnet.

Premise: An L.A. writer flies out to New York after thinking she has found the love of her life via a dating app. As it turns out, she’s been catfished — and soon gets wrapped up in a scheme to score her dream man with the help of the guy who deceived her.

First impression: Just a whole lot of holiday fun. Essentially, a strong kick-off to Netflix’s slate of cheesy-yet-heartwarming Christmas films that typically begins its descent in November.

What the Internet is saying: Predictable as its plot might seem, people are thrilled over the pitch-perfect portrayal of Asian representation as delivered by Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet, Harry Shum. Jr, and more.

Release date: 5 November

Red Notice

Cast: Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, and Dwayne Johnson.

Premise: An FBI agent reluctantly teams up with a notorious art thief to capture a criminal mastermind. Hijinks ensue.

First impression: Yet another goofy buddy-cop movie from Dwayne Johnson — which, while unsurprising, is sure to be packed with laughs and heart-pounding action scenes.

What the Internet is saying: Everyone’s mostly just floored by the insane chemistry between Gadot and Reynolds. We can’t say we didn’t see this coming.

Release date: 12 November.

Tiger King Season 2

Cast: Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin, and Jeff Lowe.

Premise: Murder, mayhem, and madness ensues in the second continuation of the controversial documentary. We’re promised newfound revelations, backstories, and more shocking secrets than before — all of which are unveiled thanks to renewed scrutiny brought about my fame.

First impression: As the voice-over in the trailer ascertains: “Things are going to get batshit crazy.” And we can’t say we disagree looking at the spliced-up clips depicting the unraveling of everything we thought we knew from season 1. Get the popcorn out, stat.

What the Internet is saying: It’s mostly just a lot of disbelief from folks wondering if America is actually, y’know, real, considering this bizarre sequence of events. Yeah, the same question has come up on our end.

Release date: 17 November.

The Wheel of Time

Cast: Rosamund Pike, Joshua Stradowski, and Madeleine Madden.

Premise: Based upon the well-loved fantasy book series of the same name, The Wheel of Time sees an all-powerful magician Moiraine (Pike) through her adventures as she escorts a group of young people on a journey around the world, believing one of them might be the individual prophesied to either save the world or destroy it.

First impression: Feminist Lord of the Rings, complete with Orc-resembling monstrous creatures that serve as the show’s villains.

What the Internet is saying: The general consensus is that this could be epic if done right. Fingers crossed, we say.

Release date: 19 November.

October
Maid

Cast: Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, and Andie MacDowell.

Premise: A young woman flees an abusive relationship and attempts to navigate single motherhood with tenacity and grit; a reality made all the more complicated due to the immersive and invasive nature of her job where she’s made to clean other people’s houses.

First impression: Inspirational as it is tragic, we’re looking forward to heart-wrenching performances from real-life mother-daughter duo, Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell.

What the Internet is saying: Folks are praising the series for its raw, realistic take on domestic violence as well as alcoholism; topics commonly shirked in favour of more “palatable” fare that makes it easier for films or shows to achieve commercial success. We’d go so far as to say to Maid to be a shoo-in for next year’s Emmy Awards.

Release date: 1 October.

The Guilty

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riley Keough, and Ethan Hawke.

Premise: The American remake of Danish film, Den Skyldige, centers around an officer (Gyllenhaal) working at a call center — whose regular night is disrupted when a woman calls to reveal that she is currently being kidnapped.

First impression: One part Taken, and two parts When A Stranger Calls. Still, we’d admit that Gyllenhaal’s enactment of a brooding, tortured cop is convincing enough to keep us watching.

What the Internet is saying: Expect some twists and turns, if the YouTube comment section is anything to go by. The general consensus is that not all is as it seems in the trailer.

Release date: 1 October.

Justin Bieber: Our World

Cast: Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, and Scooter Braun.

Premise: The piece is a documentation of the lead-up to Bieber’s unprecedented concert, T-Mobile Presents New Year’s Eve Live with Justin Bieber. This comes after a three year hiatus from performing and a significant amount of controversy; an in-depth look of the singer’s psyche as he navigates the stresses of Hollywood and fame.

First impression: We’re not expecting anything too thought-provoking or revolutionary from this — the trailer alone emits a veneer of professionalism that hints at Bieber’s misdemeanors being conveniently glossed-over. But hey, we’ve been surprised before.

What the Internet is saying: It’s mostly just congratulatory messages from the fans, at this point. We suppose we’ll know more when the film actually drops.

Release date: 8 October.

You Season 3

Cast: Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti, and Shalita Grant.

Premise: The psychological thriller picks off where the season 2 cliffhanger left off — with loved-up couple Joe and Love moving to the suburbs. New challenges await in the form of a new neighbour, Natalie, who piques Joe’s cycle of obsession once more.

First impression: Teamwork makes the dream work. You know, even when the team is made of, uh, murderous psychos.

What the Internet is saying: Excitement is at an all-time high. As it should be, seeing how the show has successfully subverted the typical tropes commonly employed in stalker films.

Release date: 15 October.

Puppy Place

Premise: Happy endings are guaranteed with this family-friendly series; a piece focused on two young adults helping new puppies find their forever homes in each episode. Aw.

First impression: It doesn’t get any cuter — or more heart-warming — than this.

What the Internet is saying: This is precisely what the doctor ordered amidst this pandemic-riddled times. Comfort TV, at its finest.

Release date: 15 October.