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Staff Picks: October 2025

October 2025 Staff Picks

Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.

They include everything from films and TV series to books, podcasts, music and beyond.

They can be accessed either online or from the Library's physical collection (for AFTRS staff and students only).

Frazer

Collection Development Librarian

Theme: Halloween

Frazer's Picks

The Bird With the Crystal Plumage

Director: Dario Argento (1970)

What a directorial debut! Tense, fun and stylishly made. This is perfect late night spooky season viewing.


Borrow on DVD

Borrow on Blu-ray

The Thing

Director: John Carpenter (1982)

A friend of mine once had the perfect description for this film: ‘A terrifying vision of a world without women’.


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Watch online via Clickview

Candyman

Director: Bernard Rose (1992)

In my opinion this is a modern classic. It’s filled with ideas, without feeling overwhelmed - and it’s still very scary! An extremely rewatchable horror movie.


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

The Invitation

Director: Karyn Kusama (2015)

An excellent entry into the *dinner party goes extremely bad* sub-genre. This is a very effective low-budget freak out that has a gripping sense of slow-burn dread.


Borrow the DVD

Watch Online via Prime

Raquel

Engagement and Outreach Librarian

Theme: Halloween

Raquel's Picks

Come and See

Director: Elem Klimov (1985)

The most harrowing war film I’ve ever seen. Many horrific scenes have been burned into my memory. I’ll never forget the boy’s face turning ashen and wrinkled like a little old man from the horror’s he’s witnessed. He literally goes grey in the matter of what feels like weeks. So intense! 


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Irreversible

Director: Gasper Noe (2002)

The first time I watched this I was incredibly hungover, it was the middle of the day, the sun was shining and I could hear little kids playing out on the street. When I tell you this was probably THE WORST scenario to watch this film in!!! 


Borrow the DVD

Salò, or : the 120 days of Sodom

Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini (1975)

It’s about time for my yearly viewing of possibly the most hardcore film ever made? Let’s discuss. 


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Director: John McNaughton (1986)

I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the most terrifying film about a serial killer you’ll ever see. Here’s your Halloween viewing sorted. 


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Alison

Research Support Librarian

Theme: Halloween

Alison's Picks

The Autopsy of Jane Doe

Director: André Øvredal (2016)

A creepy mystery unfolds in a morgue as two coroners try to figure out who, or what, they’re dealing with. It’s a spooky slow-burn that shows how much tension you can build 
with just one room and one very unsettling body.


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

https://aftrs.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/default/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:96685/one

The Blackcoat's Daughter

Director: Oz Perkins (2015)

Two girls are left behind at their boarding school over winter break.. and things get weird. Moody, quiet, and seriously eerie, this one’s all about atmosphere and slow-building dread.


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Hereditary

Director: Ari Aster (2018)

A family tragedy spirals into something much darker in this modern horror classic. It’s intense, emotional, and packed with unforgettable visuals. Definitely one for fans of bold, unsettling cinema.


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Saint Maud

Director: Rose Glass (2019)

A lonely nurse becomes convinced she’s on a mission from God, and things go downhill fast. Creepy, quiet, and totally unnerving, this one’s perfect if you like your horror psychological and stylish.


Borrow the DVD

Victoria

Assistant Librarian

Theme: Be Still My Undead Heart

Victoria's Picks

Lisa Frankenstein

Director: Zelda Williams (2024)

This movie inspired the theme of my staff picks being “Be Still My Undead Heart”. It’s campy, gorgeous, murderous, and so funny! Brought to you by the screenwriter of ‘Jennifer’s Body’, Diablo Cody. 


Watch Online via Clickview

Watch Online via Netflix

Watch Online via Binge

Warm Bodies

Director: Jonathan Levine (2013)

A feel-dead movie that’s heartwarming. It’s cute and a fun watch!


Borrow the DVD

Watch Online via Clickview

Watch Online via Stan

Corpse Bride

Directors: Tim Burton and Mike Johnson (2005)

This movie is a beautiful stop motion film. Absolutely haunting, both sad and happy. 


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Watch Online via Clickview

Watch Online via Netflix

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Director: Burr Steers (2016)

Anyone who likes Jane Austen or Austenesque material, this is the movie for you. Knowing the Pride and Prejudice story makes this movie utterly hilarious. Overall, a lot of fun. 


Borrow the DVD

Watch Online via Clickview

Watch Online via Stan

Hayley

Library & Information Services Manager

Theme: Something Witchy This Way Comes

Hayley's Picks

The Witches of Eastwick

Director: George Miller (1987)

Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher are iconic in this 80s witchy movie. As a child, Jack Nicholson’s turn as a mysterious wish granter who may or may not be the devil legitimately terrified me more than The Shining. 
 


Borrow the DVD

Watch Online via Clickview

The Craft

Director: Andrew Fleming (1996)

Four teenage girls practicing witchcraft, what could possibly go wrong? Classic 90s cinema portraying girlhood in all its messy glory. 


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Watch Online via Clickview

The Love Witch

Director: Anna Biller (2016)

This film is a luscious, technicolour love letter to the horror films of the 60s and 70s. Everything from the sound design, the costumes and the stylised acting made me nostalgic for an era of cinema I wasn’t even alive for.


Borrow the DVD

Borrow the Blu-ray

Watch Online via Clickview

Practical Magic

Director: Griffin Dunne (1999)

The perfect combination of 90s aesthetics, romance, sisterhood and witchcraft. The soundtrack is pure magic.


Borrow the DVD

Watch Online via Clickview