If you’re a child, chances are you’ve had your Halloween costume planned out for months, and it’s probably not particularly unique. Let us guess: a ghost? Vampire? One of the Avengers? All right, short-stack, you’re new to this, so we’ll give you a pass. But if you’re an adult going through all the trouble of dressing up and leaving the house, something generic isn’t going to cut it. And if you’re not going to go ironic or overly clever, you might as well be relevant. Thankfully, this year’s crop of movies provides a ton of inspiration. If you’re a bit behind, here are seven films to watch before making up your mind.
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Costume: Aunt Gladys
What you’ll need: ginger wig; red, white and blue tracksuit; oversized old-lady glasses; pearl necklace
A decrepit old witch’s idea of ‘blending in’ is wearing a wig like the girl in the Wendy’s logo and giving herself a Chappell Roan make-up tutorial… but it still kind of slays. Expect to see her everywhere this Halloween — and at drag shows for at least the next year.
Where to stream: VOD
Costume: Bob Ferguson
What you’ll need: flannel robe; coverup sunglasses; beanie; handlebar mustache; a few small beers
As Bob Ferguson – if that is his real name – Leonardo DiCaprio is like Jeffrey Lebowski if he’d spent his youth freeing migrants from detention centers, except his instantly iconic slacker uniform is mostly just what he happens to have on when the feds raid his pad. Still, film bros will be wearing flannel robes and BluBlocker sunglasses to repertory screenings for decades to come.
Where to stream: Currently in theaters
Costume: Smoke and/or Stack
What you’ll need: fedora and three-piece pinstripe suit or blue flat cap and tweed suit
Ideally, you’ll want to partner up to drive home to the Cain-and-Abel coding, otherwise you’ll mostly just look like a generic 1930s gangster. Alternatively, you could rock Stack’s ’90s fit: Coogi sweater, chunky chains, flip-up shades – or, for aspiring Hailee Steinfelds, cropped leather jacket, hoop earrings, lollipop.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Costume: Iris
What you’ll need: 1950s-style button-up dress, ballet flats, headband
Female oppression, but make it cute! As a subjugated sex robot who eventually turns against her owner, Sophie Thatcher appears like she stepped straight out of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – a look that was, of course, programmed for her, meant to reflect trad-wife meekness. Slather it with stage blood to underscore the satire.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Costume: Dr Kelson
What you’ll need: filthy tank top; bald cap; iodine
Hopefully you live in a warmer climate, as Ralph Fiennes’ feral doctor-cum-orthopedic sculptor doesn’t wear much. Of course, you could go all the way as the film’s hulking Alpha zombie, though for most of us that would require certain, um, prosthetic embellishments.
Where to stream: Netflix
Costume: Zsa-Zsa Korda
What you’ll need: grey pinstripe suit; sling; turtle-shell sunglasses; various bandages
You could populate an entire Halloween party with characters from Wes Anderson’s latest flight of whimsy – Michael Cera’s Norwegian entomologist, Mia Threapleton’s po-faced nun, Bryan Cranston in his old-head basketball outfit – but Benicio del Toro’s chronic airplane-crash survivor is the most fun, as you get to wear both a nice suit and a cartoonish head bandage. (Carrying around a crate full of grenades is optional but encouraged.)
Where to stream: Peacock
Costume: Monkey Robbie Williams
What you’ll need: monkey suit, white dress shirt, black tie
If you’re in America, be prepared to explain who you’re supposed to be ad nauseum, then explain who Robbie Williams is, then explain why he’s a monkey, as this high-concept biopic of the English pop star bombed pretty hard. Maybe that’s too much of a pain, but if your party has karaoke, wowing the crowd with a hot version of ‘Rock DJ’ could make the hassle worth it.
Where to stream: Paramount+
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