“The Substance,” a horror film starring Demi Moore, and “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” the long-awaited sequel to “The Wizards of Waverly Place,” top this week’s top streaming releases. Also premiering is “Martha,” a new Netflix documentary on the life and times of lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart.
‘The Substance’
Coralie Fargeat’s provocative body horror “The Substance” is streaming on MUBI on Halloween. The film stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded Hollywood star who is fired from her aerobic television show on her 50th birthday. In a moment of distress she decides to take a black market injectable called The Substance which promises to take her back to her younger self (Margaret Qualley). In her AP review, Krysta Fauria wrote that “what begins as a dread-inducing but still relatively palatable sci-fi flick spirals deeper into absurdism and violence, eventually erupting — quite literally — into a full-blown monster movie.” DETAILS
‘Martha’
Two new documentaries focused on familiar names are coming soon. First up, Netflix has the Martha Stewart film “Martha” streaming on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The film from R.J. Cutler promises to recontextualize the life of the teen model turned lifestyle mogul. Then, on Friday, Nov. 1, Disney+ premieres “Music by John Williams,” about the life of the composer behind so many iconic film scores. It seems everyone in Hollywood turned out to speak about the five-time Oscar winner, now 92, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. DETAILS
‘Janet Planet’
Playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with the quiet and finely observed “Janet Planet,” coming to MAX on Friday, Nov. 1. The film follows a mother (Julianne Nicholson) and her 11-year-old daughter (Zoe Ziegler) one languid summer in rural Western Massachusetts in 1991. It’s the kind of film that transports you back to the wonder, boredom and agita of an endless summer break, before smart phones and social media. DETAILS
‘Despicable Me 4′
And for the kids looking for some Minion madness, “Despicable Me 4″ finds its way to Peacock on Oct. 31. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote that it’s “a silly and breezy installment from Illumination Entertainment that passes by with about as much to remember it as a Saturday morning cartoon.” DETAILS
‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’
Just in time for Halloween, the long-awaited “Wizards of Waverly Place” sequel debuts its first two episodes Tuesday on Disney Channel. The first eight episodes will also begin streaming on Wednesday on Disney+. “Wizards of Waverly Place” was Selena Gomez’s breakout role as Alex Russo, a teen in a family of witches, herself included. “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” centers on Alex’s older brother Justin (played again by David Henrie), who strives to live a magic-free life until Alex brings him a young wizard in need of training. Gomez will guest star on the series. DETAILS
‘The Diplomat’
The political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday on Netflix — picking right up where the first season ended. Russell plays Kate, a new U.S. diplomat to Britain and Sewell is her husband, Hal, who is also a diplomat but who is now without a post. Their marriage is rocky but in the new season, Kate begins to believe Hal is the only person she can trust. Allison Janney joins the cast as the Vice President. DETAILS
‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Ten men compete in a reality competition show for a leading role in a Hallmark holiday movie in “Finding Mr. Christmas” for Hallmark+. “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett is both the show’s host and a co-judge alongside Melissa Peterman. There are also a number of guest judges throughout. The contestants take part in challenges like pulling Santa’s sleigh and an ugly Christmas sweater fashion show. The winner will star opposite Jessica Lowndes (”90210″) in the new original “Happy Howlidays” premiering in December on Hallmark Channel. The competition begins Thursday on the streamer. DETAILS
‘Like Water for Chocolate’
A new Spanish-language series for HBO adapts the novel “Like Water for Chocolate.” It follows a forbidden love story between Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida) against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Tita and Pedro long to be together but cannot because of a family custom that forbids Tita from marrying. Salma Hayek Pinault is an executive producer. It premieres Sunday, Nov. 3, on Max. DETAILS