The 5 best movies and TV shows streaming on HBO Max this week (October 13-19)

The streaming scene can seem… overwhelming, to say the least. I know that when I’m settling in for the night and want to queue up something new and exciting, I often get intimidated by all the options and go back to watching something comfortable and familiar (now, “Gilmore Girls,” and you no I am allowed to judge.) However, we all need to branch out a little, and if you’re looking for something new or Something You’ve Never Seen Before There’s a lot of good things happening on HBO Max right now.

Whether you need something weird to watch for the Halloween season – as an honorable mention, “Bring Her Back” made its way to your streaming device earlier this October and It received a strong review from Chris Evangelista of /Film Companythough this is less “gross” and more “extreme horror” — or if you’re a fan of incredibly specific cringe comedy, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should check out on HBO Max between October 13 and October 19.

Personally, I like Tim Robinson. I love his unique, quirky delivery, a skill honed by artists like him and greats like Catherine O’Hara (who can forget how she said the word “kid” in “Schitt’s Creek?”). I like the fact that all he has to do is squint, which is kind of funny. I love that he dedicated his career to playing a weirdo who can’t, under any circumstances, admit he’s wrong. It should come as no surprise, with all that in mind, that I’m including “The Chair Company,” a new series from Robinson and his frequent collaborator Zach Kanin, which premieres October 12 on HBO. (Chris the Evangelist also He reviewed this series for /Film and was very happy with what he saw.)

Without spoiling the “twists” and “turns” of “The Chair Company,” something embarrassing happens to an ordinary middle manager named Ron Casper (Robinson) at work, sending him into an uncontrollable state of chaos… a situation that often befalls Robinson’s characters. With the help of Lake Bell (as Ron’s wife), “It” veteran Sophia Lillis, support from legendary comedy writer Jim Downey, acting veteran Lou Diamond Phillips, and newcomer Joseph Todisco, Robinson is surrounded by greats, and even if you’re worried his style might flag in a half-hour comedy, don’t fret a bit and check out “The Chair Company”.

Full disclosure: I was lucky enough to see a performance of what may or may not be an early draft of “An Intimate Evening with Adam Pally” when he performed it at the Pebble Bar at 30 Rockefeller Center in the summer of 2023, and I… Very thrilled That Pally and his quirky, funny little character have arrived on HBO Max. The special will premiere on October 17, featuring Pally alone with a guitar, and featuring the “Happy Endings” actor telling jokes and singing little jingles. As he said in an HBO press release, “The special was created out of a deep desire to make something, anything, anything at all, and I couldn’t be more proud of it and grateful to HBO for giving me an amazing platform to make people laugh, make music, and tell some pop musicians.”

You can certainly expect laughter, music and even a popmeister, and whether you’re familiar with Pally’s body of work or meeting him for the first time, there’s something to love here for everyone. (Except maybe the kids; it’s a a little Dangerous for children.)

Sorry, I’m not sorry for doubling up on Tim Robinson’s content, but when you consider that his other massive project — “I Think You Should Leave” — has a home of its own on a different streaming device, I’d definitely recommend pairing “The Chair Company” with Robinson’s weird and wonderful 2024 film “Friendship.” Written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, who also serves as executive producer of “The Chair Company,” “Friendship” stars Robinson as Craig Waterman, a very strange man who says phrases like “I heard there’s a new Marvel that’s supposed to be that.” Nuts“And he barely flinches when his son Stephen (Jack Dylan Grazer) passionately kisses his mother and Ron’s wife Tammy (Kate Mara) right on the mouth. Everything changes for Craig when he meets his new neighbor, local meteorologist, avid fossil collector and adventurer Austin Carmichael (perfectly played by Paul Rudd), and makes… friend.

Craig, who is a total stranger, derails this friendship Almost immediatelybut the lengths he goes to even He tries And having Austin back is both crazy and weirdly impressive. Again, you He owns Robinson liked this movie, so give “The Chair Company” a chance and then put it in your queue as a chaser. (Additionally, it is one of the best comedies of 2025, according to /Film.)

On October 19, the “Task” miniseries finale will air on HBO — so if you’ve been following this twisty and dark story, you’ll definitely want to tune in to see its end. The producers of “Mare of Easttown,” including creator Brad Ingelsby, have returned to HBO Following on from that much-loved “Task” series — and back in the general Philadelphia area, so prepare yourself for a lot of thick Delaware County accents — it tells the story of FBI agent Tom Brandis (star Mark Ruffalo), who leads a task force to try to find the culprit behind a series of robberies, all of which turn violent. The man behind said robberies, Robbie Prendergrast (an excellent Tom Pelphrey), eludes Tom at almost every turn, leaving the agent frustrated and confused.

The cat-and-mouse game between Tom and Ruby is sure to come to some sort of terrifying but satisfying ending, so if you’ve been following The Quest, check out the ending. If not, the entire miniseries will be available to watch after the final broadcast.

After earning a somewhat miraculous Oscar win in 2024, writer-director Coralie Farget’s original Mubi film “The Substance” is finally available on HBO Max as of October 10, and it’s perfect for the Halloween season. and A world where we value women only on the basis of their youth and appearance. When fitness and TV star Elizabeth Sparkle (the stunning Oscar-nominated Demi Moore) begins to fade, she decides to take the titular substance, which effectively splits her consciousness and allows it to inhabit the body of a younger, more beautiful Sue (a hypnotic Margaret Qualley) for one week at a time. the The only rule From this article you have to return to your original body every seven days and then connect the smaller body to a vein and keep it in storage. Naturally, Elizabeth – seduced and astonished by Sue’s breezy, perfect life – does not abide by this very important rule.

Moore and Kwale are absolutely charismatic as two halves of the being that eventually becomes known as Elisasso, and If you don’t know about the completely bizarre ending to “The Substance,” I’ll let you find out for yourself. You have to be okay with body horror, but “The Substance” is worth every squeamish moment.

All of these things are streaming on HBO Max now.