THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS: SEASON TWO Starring: Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott Creators: Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble PAIGE The Sex Lives of College Girls delivers on three fronts to make it an enjoyably easy watch: it’s hilarious, horny, and light-hearted. This season continues to deliver what I liked best about Season One while also stepping its game up in terms of humor and story depth. There is no denying the main cast's great chemistry, which feels authentic and relatable, but what I loved most about this season is that the characters branch out of their so-called collegiate stereotypes to become women learning to navigate life.

ALIEN: EARTH: SEASON ONE Starring: Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, Kit Young, David Rysdahl, Babou Ceesay, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diêm Camille, and Adrian Edmondson Creator: Noah Hawley QUENTIN In case you have the same fear I did — that Alien: Earth would only tease the xenomorphs until the finale — fear not! The titular aliens (and other related creatures) show up in the premiere and make regular and frightening appearances throughout the entire series. On top of that, the biggest compliment I can give is that Earth is very much in line with Ridley Scott’s classic in horror tone, terrific imagery, and compelling characters (Episode Five, especially). Although the plot is sprawling, featuring a lot of moving parts and very dense, slow-burn storytelling that can occasionally lead to pacing issues, every franchise fan should be thrilled. PAIGE Creator Noah Hawley does a wonderful job of skillfully crafting a series that fits right in and expands Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise. Though there are some wonky CGI moments and pacing issues, when the show uses practical effects and leans into its themes, it thrives. Alien: Earth combines heady sci-fi ideas with thought-provoking topics that feel so relevant and topical to today’s real world. Packed with strong performances from its ensemble and unique comparisons and references to Peter Pan’s “Neverland,” this series certainly proves that this franchise still has something worth bursting out of the chest for. ROBERT When you hear that an established movie IP is being translated to TV, you get nervous. How will that look on the small screen? Well, if you have Noah Hawley at the helm, it works out fantastically. Alien: Earth further expands the lore of the Alien universe by showing creatures beyond the Xenomorphs and fleshing out how long Weyland/Yutani has been trying to monopolize the bioweapon market. Centering the story around corporate jockeying and espionage is timely and thought-provoking, but to have the type of scaled action revolving around it is truly special. While a slow burn, it emanates bright.

WHAT IF...?: SEASON ONE Starring: Jeffrey Wright AMARÚ At first, you think Marvel's What If...? is simply a dream-fulfilling anthology - no stakes or agenda, just enjoy the fan service. Then it gets real dark, complete with real stakes. It makes you want an agenda. By season's end, you're reminded that Marvel always has a plan, and if we get 50 seasons, we'll still be wide-eyed and ready for every episode. This season isn't perfect, though. Early episodes are too short and the humor doesn't always land (sorry, Party Thor). However, the final episodes deliver extremely satisfying pay-offs and maybe the MCU's best action sequences. Gimme more! QUENTIN While it took me a few episodes to get onboard, What If...? eventually turned into a nice weekly distraction that will keep most Marvel diehards at least moderately entertained. Like most anthologies, some episodes are better than others, but they all provide something worthwhile. What's most impressive is that nearly every MCU star provided voice work. On the other hand, the animation can be distracting, a couple episodes end rather abruptly, and some of the dialogue is pretty cheesy (probably for a younger audience since, after all, it is animated). Ultimately, it's enjoyable enough, but not required viewing despite being canon. JACOB From the outset, Marvel's What if...? seemed destined to be nothing more than the ultimate playground for the MCU to test its riskiest ideas, but it soon revealed itself to be taking those ideas extremely seriously and developing them with care. The medium of animation and half-hour-(ish) episodes are the perfect conduit for telling tales of endless imagination and striking maturity, particularly episodes four and six. Although some stories never feel as if they reach full conclusions, the introduction of a series like this counts as another triumph for Marvel studios and demonstrates most clearly why people still love them.

THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS Starring: Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, and Melissa De Sousa Creators: Malcolm D. Lee and Dayna Lynne North AMARÚ The Best Man: The Final Chapters feels like going back home. What started as a top tier 90s rom-com before continuing as a highly underrated 2010s Christmas film concludes, more than two decades later, as a streaming-service limited series, and it returns like only two years have passed, not 20. Being one of the best romance franchises ever doesn’t protect the series from predictable genre tropes, but the chemistry, performances, and soul on display cover for any missteps the story may take. Honestly, the decades of Black Excellence on screen shines through the brightest…and that was everything.

THE SYMPATHIZER Starring: Hoa Xuande, Robert Downey Jr., Toan Le, Fred Nguyen Khan, and Sandra Oh Creators: Don McKellar, Park Chan-wook ADRIANO I can't quite explain the joy of watching a show like The Sympathizer on a weekly basis. With Park Chan-wook at the helm, his style and unapologetic pacing make way for an entertaining show that's also gripping and stunning to experience. While its themes of colonialism and loss of identity hit home, the show never misses out on an opportunity to get into the weeds of its central character. Robert Downey Jr.'s headline-making performance (or performances, I suppose) is great, but Hoa Xuoande deserves just as much praise, if not more. There's simply nobody doing it like Park Chan-wook. AMARÚ There’s a very peculiar tone to Park Chan-wook’s The Sympathizer that is as eccentric as the many characters Robert Downey Jr. portrays. That energetic frequency enhances the dynamic nature of Chan-wook’s direction and Kim Ji-yong’s cinematography, but creates a massive tonal whiplash when compared to the show’s subject matter. This kept me constantly detached from the story no matter how engaging it appears to be, mostly because, even with a first-person narrative guiding you through it, I could never fully connect with its characters. The show is gorgeous to look at, but I couldn’t really tell you a memorable thing about it. CALEB The Sympathizer is a snappy, fine-tuned, political thriller bursting at the seams with intrigue and suspense. All the double-crossing and espionage are made even more exciting by Park Chan-wook’s unhinged directorial decisions. With all the wild transitions, wacky needle-drops, and intricately costumed Robert Downey Juniors (yes, plural), Chan-wook’s creativity seems almost endless. Underneath all of the visual insanity lies a genuinely moving story about identity that’s elevated by Hoa Xuande’s dynamic lead performance. The finale definitely becomes a little too convoluted for its own good, but The Sympathizer is still one of 2024’s best shows.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON: SEASON TWO Starring: Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Tom Glynn-Carney, Bethany Antonia, Sonoya Mizuno, Matthew Needham, Fabien Frankel, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Phoebe Campbell, Abubakar Salim, Gayle Rankin, and Rhys Ifans Creators: Ryan J. Condal and George R.R. Martin PAIGE Although Season Two of House of the Dragon may not have been as thrilling or action-packed as fans anticipated, this season was nonetheless phenomenal. Though it mishandles its pacing a little bit with its eight episodes, it’s a somber and thought-provoking show that exudes confidence and elegance. As a character-driven season, this series soars high thanks to its captivating plot, flawless writing, and fierce performances, which set the stage for what is to come. If you haven’t already, you should jump on the House of the Dragon bandwagon because next season is going to be an all out bloodbath. QUENTIN In my review of Season One, I called House of the Dragon “a worthy successor to Game of Thrones .” After Season Two, I take it back. Dragon has become an absolute slog, with the action, twists, sex, and intrigue of Thrones mostly replaced by hours of too many uninteresting and underdeveloped characters rarely doing more than having council meetings around a large table. Plus, arguably the best character from last season, Daemon (Matt Smith), is flat-out wasted, isolated in his own hallucinatory subplot. I’m happy to hear this series will end with Season Four because that means I only have to hate-watch for two more seasons. KATIE The second season of House of the Dragon is definitely more slow burn than fiery action, but I still enjoyed every minute. Although the pacing falters at times, especially in comparison to the previous season, and Daemon’s (Matt Smith) subplot is not as engaging as it had the potential to be, I loved the politics, tension, heated conversations, and rich character development, all of which are highlighted by the phenomenal performances. This season effectively sets the board for the next, delving into the central characters' inner motivations and struggles whilst positioning itself for even more conflict and exciting drama. PRESTON The excitement derived from House of the Dragon ’s first season is what bolstered my resolve to push through the slower portions of this newest season. However, those portions, unfortunately, make up the majority of the show. Side plots and characters galore are haphazardly included, as if almost no care was given for me to be invested enough to know who is even being talked about. The dragon fights are still the best part of this disappointing season, whose overarching story makes for a watchable series, even if mishandled this go-round. AMARÚ House of the Dragon Season Two continues the great political machinations, plot twists, and long character arcs that Game of Thrones is known for. The long wait between seasons was rewarded with some amazing episodes and meme-worthy Twitter timelines, but more times than not, this season felt like a continuation of that extended break due to a ton of set up that hopefully is paid off ten-fold in Season Three. The acting, visuals, and music is still top notch television, but the finale solidified that Season Two is a well-executed, if slow, stepping stone that may leave audiences a tad bit disappointed.

Previous Next As spooky season comes to a close on this Halloween night, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Scariest Movies. Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. IT FOLLOWS Writer-director David Robert Mitchell created a terrifyingly original idea with It Follows , which is a rarity in horror these days. Who would have thought a film about a supernatural entity that essentially takes the form of an STD would be so frightening? It Follows is so chilling that it will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up; however, it’s so much more than that. It’s also wicked stylish, featuring great performances, stunning cinematography, and a killer score. It may be hard to rewatch, but it deserves all the love this spooky season! - Paige 4. THE DESCENT It's been more than 15 years, and I can still remember the tension, thrills, scares, and claustrophobia I felt watching this little British horror film for the first time in theaters. To this day, it sticks with me as one of the scariest, and overall best, horror movies I’ve ever seen because of its unrelenting suspense and visceral frights (both physical and psychological), not to mention the fully developed collection of characters portrayed flawlessly by virtually unknown actresses who manage to make the film feel more real due to their lack of stardom. - Quentin 3. THE SHINING What is there to say about Stanley Kubrick's The Shining that hasn't already been said, analyzed, or praised? The reason this film is one of the scariest I've ever seen is the fact that its atmosphere and unnerving tone stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Kubrick's film enters your psyche to plant seeds of dread that can't easily be shaken. While most films use noises in the dark or jump scares to entice fear, Kubrick works on a level few in horror can match today. - JTE 2. THE EXORCIST Few films compare to The Exorcist with regards to scares, longevity, and cultural impact. To this day, nearly 50 years later, it is still a right of passage for kids at sleepovers, while some adults continue to avoid it altogether. Overall, The Exorcist is just a remarkably well-made film that highlights the best in horror. - Joseph 1. HEREDITARY Hereditary is the kind of movie that leaves me, a legal adult, staying up at night. The film is constantly unsettling, featuring horrifying visuals, disturbing imagery, and unnerving terror at nearly every corner, and it keeps me consistently turning away and freaking out. - Adriano HONORABLE MENTIONS SINISTER THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT PARANORMAL ACTIVITY POLTERGEIST (1982) THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974) Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Mongrel Media; Photo 2 - Path é Distribution; Photo 3, 4 - Warner Bros; Photo 5 - A24

THE REGIME Starring: Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Danny Webb, Henry Goodman, David Bamber, Rory Keenan, and Stanley Townsend Creator: Will Tracy QUENTIN Despite a muddled story that I struggled to stay engaged with, The Regime remains watchable due to Kate Winslet’s award-worthy and often hilarious performance. If you would enjoy the sharp-tongued barbs from Veep being spouted with total irreverence from a classy Brit, then you’ll find enough entertainment in these six episodes to at least pass the time. Quotes like “it looks like a baboon’s cock” and “it smells like a hog’s urethra” fall out Winslet’s mouth with such ease and delight that it’s hard not to find yourself laughing out loud even as you’ve lost interest in the narrative. CALEB While I didn’t love The Regime ’s worldbuilding, the quick-wit and quirky performances still make it a worthwhile watch. Kate Winslet delivers an unhinged performance as the psychotic Chancellor, blending snappy comedic timing with a considerable amount of emotional depth. The show shines when it’s indulging in its cheeky sense of humor, but falters whenever it takes itself too seriously. As the season crept towards its finale, the writing took a turn towards the overdramatic, and it slowly began to lose me. The Regime ’s attempts at political intrigue may fall flat, but at least it’s funny enough to make up for it.

YOUR HONOR: SEASON TWO Starring: Bryan Cranston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Hope Davis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Margo Martindale, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Keith Machekanyanga, Benjamin Flores Jr., Lilli Kay, Jimi Stanton, and Rosie Perez Creator: Peter Moffat QUENTIN After a good-not-great first season, Your Honor , which was originally a miniseries, returned with a second and final season that seemed unasked for. That said, even if I wasn’t captivated by the story of Season One, the powerhouse acting was enough to bring me back to the fold. Overall, it’s about what I expected: great actors doing great things in service of a lackadaisical and melodramatic story. Bryan Cranston, Michael Stuhlbarg, and especially Hope Davis are all terrific, but this series is definitely a case of being more about the journey than the destination since the ending has the anticlimactic feeling of “alright, we’re done now.”

THE MOSQUITO COAST: SEASON ONE Starring: Justin Theroux, Melissa George, Logan Polish, and Gabriel Bateman Creators: Tom Bissell and Neil Cross QUENTIN I can't say how The Mosquito Coast compares to the movie/book because I never saw/read it. However, as a show, it feels incomplete. It's suspenseful and engaging, but there is very little in the way of character development and nothing is really resolved. It also fails to give much backstory, only hinting at why this family is on the run. At only seven episodes, it could have used a couple more hours to flesh out the "why" of it all. That said, Justin Theroux is excellent in an endlessly watchable performance. Overall, it's good, but it could have been better.

THE AFTERPARTY: SEASON ONE Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoe Chao, Ike Barinholtz, Ben Schwartz, Ilana Glazer, Jamie Demetriou, and Dave Franco Created by Christopher Miller ADRIANO The Afterparty is just the best. I had so much fun watching this show that I couldn’t stop rewatching it. It’s so clever in its murder mystery storyline that I legitmately didn’t have a clue who the killer was going into the finale. The genre-hopping perspective is smartly done as well, showing not just how each person saw the night going, but also adding good character development along the way. Each character is played to comedic perfection by this great and hilarious ensemble too. I can’t believe just how hard I fell for this show. QUENTIN The Afterparty from Christopher Miller (of Lord & Miller) might end up being the surprise show of the year. It’s genuinely funny, but still manages to have an engaging and fairly unpredictable murder mystery at its center. Plus, each 30-min episode takes on a different genre, from rom-com to action to horror, which allows the great cast to play the same characters in several different ways. The highlight is the musical themed episode focused on Ben Schwartz’s character, but there really aren’t any weak links to be found.

SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE Starring: Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain Creator: Hagai Levi QUENTIN While I can appreciate the powerhouse performances from Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain (they truly are award-worthy), Scenes From a Marriage is not a fun miniseries. You're essentially watching a white collar marriage fall apart for five hours, complete with all the fighting, manipulation, and awkwardness that entails. If you're watching for the "art" of it, then I suppose you'll get what you're looking for. However, I never enjoyed spending an hour with this couple (Chastain’s Mira is an especially unlikeable character). It's a total buzzkill. A generally well-crafted buzzkill, but a buzzkill, nonetheless. What sort of psychopath finds this entertaining?