Everything I Watched in October and November 2024

And what I thought about it all!

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Back with another monthly watch list recap — and, yes, I realize I’m very much behind, but what are the first few days of the year for if not to catch up on everything? The last two months of the year were a total whirlwind, and unfortunately I slacked off on the newsletter a bit, but we’re righting the ship in this first week of 2025.

To spare your inbox, I’m combining my watch lists for October and November. December will be in your inbox next week! Also coming is the list of TV shows I gave up on in 2024 and one of all the books I read last year, too.

Anyway, once a month I send out a list of everything I watched the previous month to give you some ideas of things to add to your own watch lists, so I’m here to share the rundown of all of the stuff I watched in October.

Also note that I only include seasons of TV shows that I finished in any given month — if it’s still on or I’m still currently watching it, then I’ll include it when it’s over.

RELATED: Everything I Watched in September 2024

You’ll find that my reactions to things lean positive, because 1. I actively try to seek out stuff that I expect to be entertaining, has been well reviewed and/or has value to me — I’m not just going to watch the most popular show on Netflix because everyone else is if I don’t think I would like it — and 2. I’ve given myself more leeway recently to give up on shows that I’m not enjoying (here’s the list of all the shows I dropped last year). I used to force myself to finish things even if I hated them, which is truly unnecessary and a waste of time.

Keep scrolling for the list of everything I watched in October and November of 2024 (and here’s the list from September if you’re new here or just want more ideas for things to watch):

October 2024

My Old Ass (in theaters - now on Prime)

Honestly one of my favorite movies of the year. An absolute delight of a film that ponders life’s biggest questions as the 18-year-old version of the film’s protagonist, Elliott (played by Maisy Stella from “Nashville” and that viral cover of “Call Your Girlfriend”), comes face-to-face with the older version of herself (played by the always incredible Aubrey Plaza). “My Old Ass” has heart and humor, bringing both tears and laughter. Bonus points for that Justin Bieber sequence!

Babygirl (in theaters)

One of the best, most fearless Nicole Kidman performances in years as a CEO who leans into her most carnal desires of being submissive in the bedroom with an intern at her company played by Harris Dickinson. I really loved this movie, which winks very knowingly at the erotic thrillers of the ‘90s, taking itself a little less seriously than films like “Eyes Wide Shut” and “9 1/2 Weeks.” Nicole didn’t have to go this hard, but I’m so glad she did.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)

Even though I found that this show dragged a bit (I didn’t need every episode to be an hour long), it still managed to maintain my attention and it’s no wonder that it captured the zeitgeist in the way that it did. There’s nothing more exciting to me than a scripted series that launches new stars out of nowhere—in this case, Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez—and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Big Brother - Season 26 (Paramount+)

A great season of “Big Brother,” 24 years and 26 seasons in! What a breakout star they delivered in Angela Murray.

English Teacher (FX on Hulu)

Accusations aside (the Vulture article came out after season 1 of “English Teacher” finished), this is a fantastic show that felt at once timely and progressive. It’s difficult not to discuss this series (which has yet to be picked up for a second season) now without mentioning that Brian Jordan Alvarez was accused of sexual assault by his former collaborator—accusations he says are being misrepresented—which is a shame because this was one of the most fresh, exciting debut seasons of the year.

The Menendez Brothers (Netflix)

A fine enough follow-up to the dramatized scripted series. It was interesting hearing directly from the brothers, but otherwise this doc sort of went in one ear and out the other for me.

Heartstopper - Season 3 (Netflix)

As a huge fan of the books on which “Heartstopper” is based, I can say that I think they’ve done a great job at adapting the story of Nick and Charlie for the screen. That being said, I think season 3 was my least favorite of the series so far. While I think it was smart of the show to broaden its scope by coloring in the lines of the secondary characters’ relationships, sometimes that backfires and makes it feel as though they’re trying to incorporate too much. This season was also a little too much of a downer for me.

Anora (in theaters)

Mikey Madison, the star that you are! I fucking loved this movie, which I hope gets major recognition during awards season. It deserves it. “Anora” was a thrilling ride from start to finish and is an absolute must-see.

Simone Biles Rising: Part 2 (Netflix)

A nice follow-up to part one, which premiered this summer. I was completely Olympics-pilled during the Paris Games, so this provided a welcome behind-the-scenes look at some of the most exciting moments from those two weeks.

Martha (Netflix)

I love how much of a moment this documentary got, because it deserved it. It was bound to get people talking, but the conversation around “Martha” lasted for several extra weeks after Martha Stewart herself expressed her displeasure with many elements of the film. This is a case study for celebrity documentary subjects not having final cut.

Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words (Prime)

An inside look at Megan Thee Stallion’s quick rise to fame, which has been riddled with heartbreak, triumph and controversy. I’ll never not be in Megan’s corner, so to see her push through everything that she’s been put up against is nothing less than inspiring.

Only Murders in The Building - Season 4 (Hulu)

This show has been on such an impressive, steady winning streak and hasn’t lost its step through four seasons. There were times during this season where the plot kind of lost me a bit and felt a little convoluted, but every time I felt that way it righted the ship and roped me back in. Selena Gomez’s chemistry with Steve Martin and Martin Short remains incredibly fun to watch.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles - Season 15 (Bravo)

Could this be the final season of “Million Dollar Listing”? Josh and Heather Altman announced after the season wrapped that they’re leaving the show, and it feels as though the reality real estate space has become overcrowded, to say the least. I still think that “MDLLA” does it better than most, but it packs less of a punch when it feels like you’ve watched this show several times this year already, just in other forms. I love this cast, though, so I hope they can find a way to continue! If not, move Tracy Tutor over to “RHOBH” already.

Mr. McMahon (Netflix)

A great docu-series about something I knew next to nothing about: Professional wrestling. And I walked away from it having a much better understanding of that world and the culture around it. Adding intrigue to the series was the fact that its subject, Vince McMahon, faced a litany of accusations in the middle of production.

Collin From Accounts - Season 2 (Paramount+)

Perhaps the most under appreciated comedy on TV? Season 2 of this hilarious Australian series about a couple brought together by a non-fatal accident involving an adorable dog picked up right where season 1 left off, and it didn’t skip a beat.

November 2024

Conclave (in theaters)

One of my favorite films of the year, no doubt. Someone said this was like “Gossip Girl” at the Vatican, which… not no! “Conclave” focused on the time right after the Pope dies and cardinals from around the world lock down at the Vatican until they can come to a consensus around who his successor should be. It’s dramatic and twisty and exhilarating, and the central performances from Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini are superb.

Anatomy of Lies (Peacock)

A must-watch scammer docu-series about Elisabeth Finch, a lauded “Grey’s Anatomy” writer who took from her own apparent life experience in writing episodes of the long-running Shonda Rimes hit. Spoiler alert: She’s lying! I had read the initial report on Elisabeth years ago, so I resisted watching this one for a few weeks, but it was worth tapping into even though I was already familiar with the story.

National Anthem (rented)

A beautiful film directed by Luke Gilford and starring Charlie Plummer, which centers on his character’s self-discovery after he starts working at a queer-owned ranch. Absolutely loved this.

The Diplomat - Season 2 (Netflix)

This show is delicious. I’ll be honest and say that half the time I don’t even know what they’re talking about or what’s actually going on, but I still love it. The last two episodes of its triumphant second season were especially juicy.

A Real Pain (in theaters)

I liked this, but not as much as everyone else seemed to. I appreciated it and what it set out to do, but I found Kieran Culkin’s character so viscerally annoying (you’re supposed to, I’m aware) that I couldn’t find my way into the film.

Breath of Fire (Max)

Yet another absolute banger of a scammer doc, this time about a white woman named Katie Griggs who calls herself Guru Jagat and the sketchy origins of Kundalini Yoga. That’s about all I’ll tell you so I don’t spoil it for you.

Child Star (Hulu)

I’ll always find child stardom fascinating, particularly the experiences of the stars I grew up watching. That being said, I’m not sure this Demi Lovato vehicle adds much to the conversation? There are some welcome insights delivered through interviews with the likes of Kenan Thompson and Drew Barrymore, but I found this to ultimately be kind of forgettable.

The Golden Bachelorette (ABC)

I loved Joan from “The Golden Bachelor” and was excited to see her get another shot at love after having to leave that show early for a family emergency. This season mostly delivered, but I think it petered out a bit towards the end when her choice became a foregone conclusion and there were fewer men to watch sweetly bond while vying for her affection. Still, I’m so glad this show exists and much prefer it to the central franchise, which I don’t watch anymore.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - Season 18 (Bravo/Peacock)

This would’ve been the “Real Housewives” season of the year if it hadn’t been for season 5 of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” but it was a very close second. During an otherwise low-key summer for Bravo, “RHOC” delivered its best season in years and one of its best ever centered around a shattered Shannon Beador picking up the pieces of her life after a DUI and her ex very publicly dating a former star of the show. Oh, and that woman joined the show, too. Her openness and vulnerability was just one of the reasons this season delivered so thoroughly: Tamra Judge stoked the flames every week to controversial effect, Jennifer Pedranti stepped up in a big way, Heather Dubrow embraced her inner villain, Katie Ginella proved to be a worthwhile addition and Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter proved that they were worth keeping around. Season 19 can’t come soon enough.

Woman of The Hour (Netflix)

I’m not the biggest Anna Kendrick fan, but her directorial debut was quite great. It centers on an aspiring actress who matches with a serial killer on a ‘70s dating show, and it really keeps you on your toes waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Wicked (in theaters)

I mean, there’s not much else to say about this movie, but it absolutely surpassed my expectations and delivered on its promise. Ariana and Cynthia are otherworldly in it, and it was the must-see theater experience of the year.

Tell Me Lies - Season 2 (Hulu)

One of those shows that I really don’t even like, but I will keep coming back to for whatever reason. It does have a mysteriously sexy overall vibe that I’m drawn to, and I enjoy the specific mid-2000s/early 2010s time period in which it takes place. That being said, it was a slog getting through this season—which ultimately paid off because the season finale was an absolute doozy (complimentary).

Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge (Hulu)

A great doc about a phenomenal and fascinating woman. Making this a film and not a prolonged series was a perfect choice here, too.

Rivals (Hulu)

A show about rivals operating in independent British television in the ‘80s had no business being this good, and yet it proved to be one of the most surprisingly enjoyable new series of the year for me. It’s pulpy and twisty and aesthetically pleasing… excited about season 2!

The Great British Baking Show - Collection 12 (Netflix)

A wonderful season of this absolute delight of a show, which brings me joy every fall. This is my Saturday morning show, and it is always the best way to start my weekends. I didn’t find many of the contestants unbearably annoying this time around (a rarity), and Alison Hammond continues to prove that she was exactly what this show needed. My one gripe with “GBBO” is that I wish they’d give them more time to complete the show stoppers — it’s much more satisfying TV to see confections actually be completed instead of watching them rush to throw something incomplete together.