'I'm obsessed with horror - and these are Netflix's most disturbing films to stream in October'

Whether you're interested in a psychological horror or all-out gore, there are some real hidden gems available on Netflix that are sure to prey on your mind for a long time

The days are getting shorter, the nights colder and Mariah Carey warmer, which can only mean one thing: Halloween is fast approaching.

As we hurtle into October and social media feeds become flooded with targeted ads for giant spooky inflatables, highly flammable fancy dress costumes and low-budget haunt experiences, you'd be forgiven for thinking that a night in with some scary films is the best way to go this year.

As anyone with a Netflix subscription knows, the horror section can be a little overwhelming. Overwhelmingly bad, that is. Scrolling slowly while checking the Rotten Tomatoes rating for each option can prove time consuming and there are a whole host of duds to distract from the real hidden gems on the streamer.

As a horror film obsessive, these are my hand-picked recommendations for the most disturbing films you can watch on Netflix right now. Whether you're into all-out gore or something more psychological that will play on your mind for weeks to come, we've got you covered.

Incantation (2022)

Found footage film Incantation took TikTok by storm when it first arrived on Netflix, with terrified viewers sharing videos about their experience watching it and for good reason - it is genuinely really scary.

This was Taiwan's highest-grossing film of 2022, and it follows the story of a mother who, after breaking a religious taboo, reconnects with the young daughter she was forced to give up. As they rekindle their relationship and start afresh, it transpires that an ancient entity hasn't quite finished with the pair.

Expect a slow, uneasy build-up to what is a frantic and horrifying finale. Be warned though, you participate in this film at your own risk.

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Apostle (2018)

Dan Stevens' Downton Abbey days are long gone. In folk horror Apostle, he plays Thomas Richardson, a man on a mission to rescue his sister who he believes has been kidnapped. When he rocks up to a remote Welsh island to find her, he discovers slightly more than he bargained for in the form of a religious cult that aren't afraid of a bit of bloodletting.

There's a fair bit of gore in this one so if you've got hemophobia, give it a miss. The film's stellar cast also includes Lucy Boynton and Michael Sheen, who is utterly brilliant as the unhinged Prophet Malcom.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

While this may look like a run-of-the-mill horror flick from the outside, it's actually a true hidden gem. Don't just take my word for it; it boasts an 86 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score which is remarkably high for something in the horror genre.

The horror/mystery follows two coroners as they begin an autopsy on a woman whose identity remains unknown, hence Jane Doe. As they conduct their work, bizarre things begin to happen and it descends into all-out terror as they get closer to the truth about the woman on their table.

Watcher (2022)

Maika Monroe of Longlegs fame stars as Julia in this psychological thriller from 2022 which will have you on the edge of your seat for the whole run time.

The film follows Julia and her partner Francis as they move into a new apartment which inexplicably doesn't come with curtains despite the gigantic window in their front room. Julia soon begins to notice a mysterious figure watching her from across the street and she grows increasingly paranoid that it could be an elusive serial killer that is active in the area.

Of course her concerns are ignored by her less-than-attentive partner and she is ultimately forced to take matters into her own hands. It's an incredibly creepy and unsettling watch and it will make you scared of your own neighbours (if you're not already).

Haunt (2019)

The perfect watch for Halloween, Haunt follows a bunch of friends as they discover a live scare experience and give it a go. While the plot has been done to death, this take on the trope offers viewers something a little bit different.

The acting is strong with the cast featuring Katie Stevens (The Bold Type) who gives it her all as Harper. The film boasts a solid 70 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes with viewers calling it "so intriguing" as well as "psychologically clever", so if that's your bag, add it to your watch list.