{"id":819707,"date":"2026-10-31T11:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T11:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/819707\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T11:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T11:40:13","slug":"mike-flanagans-unforgettable-horror-is-the-perfect-netflix-movie-to-watch-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/819707\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Flanagan&#8217;s &#8220;unforgettable&#8221; horror is the &#8220;perfect&#8221; Netflix movie to watch this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">Even though it&#8217;s Halloween, there&#8217;s not too many spooky treats at the cinema, with romantic fantasy Wicker and psychological thriller Primetime being some of the films to hit the big screen this week.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">So if you want to watch a horror at home this weekend, we think Mike Flanagan&#8217;s Gerald&#8217;s Game is a good place to start, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a839412\/geralds-game-has-stephen-king-easter-egg\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a839412\/geralds-game-has-stephen-king-easter-egg\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"the 2017 film\" data-node-id=\"9.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the 2017 film<\/a> being widely lauded for its atmosphere and central performance.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">Based on Stephen King&#8217;s 1992 novel of the same name, the plot follows a married couple who venture away for a trip. But when the husband dies as the widow is handcuffed to the bed, she&#8217;s thrust into a fight for survival.<\/p>\n<p>Who&#8217;s in Gerald&#8217;s Game?<img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"carla gugino, geralds game\" title=\"Carla Gugino, Geralds Game\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1468\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/7f41733f-d765-4308-aa0c-852dba6a89c3.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Netflix<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"19\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">\u2022 Carla Gugino as Jessie Burlingame<br data-node-id=\"19.1\"\/>\u2022 Bruce Greenwood as Gerald Burlingame<br data-node-id=\"19.3\"\/>\u2022 Carel Struycken as Moonlight Man<br data-node-id=\"19.5\"\/>\u2022 Henry Thomas as Tom<br data-node-id=\"19.7\"\/>\u2022 Kate Siegel as Sally<br data-node-id=\"19.9\"\/><\/p>\n<p>What did critics and viewers say about Gerald&#8217;s Game?<img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"carla gugino, henry thomas, geralds game\" title=\"Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Geralds Game\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1468\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d642e53f-faba-4c18-9762-97ce05db72b2.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Netflix<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"25\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a839053\/geralds-game-stephen-king-reviews-netflix\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a839053\/geralds-game-stephen-king-reviews-netflix\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The horror film\" data-node-id=\"25.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The horror film<\/a> was acclaimed by critics and viewers alike, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting an impressive approval rating of 91% from 81 reviews. On IMDb, meanwhile, it has a solid rating of 6.5\/10 from 145,000 logs.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"29\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">&#8220;Gerald&#8217;s Game is a symphony of suspense and scares, spiked with just the right amount of gruesome gore,&#8221; noted <a href=\"https:\/\/theplaylist.net\/stephen-king-gerald-game-review-20170925\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/theplaylist.net\/stephen-king-gerald-game-review-20170925\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Playlist\" data-node-id=\"29.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">The Playlist<\/a>, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiewire.com\/news\/general-news\/geralds-game-review-carla-gugino-bruce-greenwood-mike-flanagan-stephen-king-netflix-1201879277\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.indiewire.com\/news\/general-news\/geralds-game-review-carla-gugino-bruce-greenwood-mike-flanagan-stephen-king-netflix-1201879277\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"IndieWire\" data-node-id=\"29.5.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">IndieWire<\/a> reserved praise for the &#8220;phenomenal, breakneck climax&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"34\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a barnstorming showcase for Gugino, so often underused, who tackles a difficult, physically restricted role with gusto,&#8221; opined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2017\/sep\/29\/geralds-game-review-netflix-stephen-king-carla-gugino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2017\/sep\/29\/geralds-game-review-netflix-stephen-king-carla-gugino\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Guardian\" data-node-id=\"34.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">The Guardian<\/a>, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCHxtcvsaiQ&amp;list=PL29Hl-mzs6aKJkK7W-bxI3uUj_RFVLcM6&amp;index=204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCHxtcvsaiQ&amp;list=PL29Hl-mzs6aKJkK7W-bxI3uUj_RFVLcM6&amp;index=204\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Spooky Astronaut\" data-node-id=\"34.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">Spooky Astronaut<\/a> called it a &#8220;perfect&#8221; adaptation.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"38\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">On IMDb, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3748172\/review\/rw3839074\/?ref_=tturv_25\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3748172\/review\/rw3839074\/?ref_=tturv_25\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"one user\" data-node-id=\"38.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">one user<\/a> described it as &#8220;unforgettable&#8221; and a &#8220;masterpiece of a thriller&#8221;, adding: &#8220;This is a remarkably intense film, managing to create hypnotic thrills and harrowing drama in such a small environment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"42\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3748172\/review\/rw4065073\/?ref_=tturv_2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3748172\/review\/rw4065073\/?ref_=tturv_2\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Another viewer\" data-node-id=\"42.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">Another viewer<\/a> echoed this sentiment as they called it &#8220;gripping&#8221;, writing: &#8220;It&#8217;s an engaging movie throughout. By delving into Jessie&#8217;s psyche, it has you doubt her mental state and what is real and what isn&#8217;t.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Where can I watch Gerald&#8217;s Game?<img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"carla gugino, geralds game\" title=\"Carla Gugino, Geralds Game\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1468\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adab83fb-5b21-4556-89b9-ea09dd1a51c9.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Netflix<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">After having its world premiere at the BFI Southbank in September 2017, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/trailers\/a837403\/geralds-game-stephen-king-adaptation-netflix-trailer-release\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/trailers\/a837403\/geralds-game-stephen-king-adaptation-netflix-trailer-release\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"the horror film\" data-node-id=\"48.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the horror film<\/a> was an exclusive release on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/netflix-movies\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/netflix-movies\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Netflix\" data-node-id=\"48.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Netflix<\/a> later that month, and it is still available to watch on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"streaming service\" data-node-id=\"48.5\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">streaming service<\/a> now.<\/p>\n<p>Other Mike Flanagan movies you can stream now<img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"carla gugino, bruce greenwood, gerald's game\" title=\"Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Gerald's Game\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2002\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1506426296-geraldsgame-unit-01768-r.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Netflix<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"54\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">Flanagan isn&#8217;t a stranger to King, having helmed several adaptations of the author&#8217;s work. Doctor Sleep, a sequel to Stanley Kubrick&#8217;s The Shining, is currently on Netflix, HBO Max, NOW and Sky Cinema.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"58\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">The Life of Chuck, which is based on a short story from the If It Bleeds novella, is available to rent via several services, while the first season of Carrie &#8211; which Flanagan developed &#8211; is on Prime Video.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"62\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">The filmmaker has plenty of other notable work in the horror genre too, with Oculus and Ouija: Origin of Evil both being on Prime Video. His 2016 slasher Hush, meanwhile, is still on Netflix.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"66\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">Gerald&#8217;s Game is streaming on Netflix.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"71\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Streaming Guide\" data-node-id=\"71.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"75\" class=\"css-bgkwxm emevuu60\">The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of the world of K-pop, is here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/living-legends-kpop\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/living-legends-kpop\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy K-Pop in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"75.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy K-Pop in newsagents or online<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/hearst\/static\/images\/logos\/lettermark.be20fe9.svg?primary=%2523000\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" alt=\"Lettermark\" class=\"css-1gzwuo6 ev8dhu50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Movies<\/a> and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. \u00a0His film tastes vary from blockbusters like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/mission-impossible\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mission: Impossible<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/john-wick\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">John Wick<\/a> to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.<br \/>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Even though it&#8217;s Halloween, there&#8217;s not too many spooky treats at the cinema, with romantic fantasy Wicker and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":819708,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[147950,149865,168514,379,269006,381,96,190731,1156,2839,269005,223205,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-819707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-collection-netflix","tag-collection-netflix-movies","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-1826b54b-eaee-47de-aa1e-b711c878637a","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-movies","tag-shorttitle-mike-flanagans-perfect-horror-is-the-movie-to-watch","tag-sponsored-false","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=819707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/819708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=819707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=819707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=819707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}