It's another solid week on HBO Max, especially for horror fans. There's a set of live-action adaptations of Japanese manga master Junji Ito's short stories, a compelling serial killer deep dive, a blood-soaked animated series, and lots more. Here are the three things that you should save to your watchlist, plus everything else coming to the service this week.
This Week on HBO Max: PCMag's Picks
Strange: Junji Ito’s Tales for Sleepless Nights (October 2)
Japanese master of horror Junji Ito has seen his work adapted in numerous mediums, but this live-action anthology series is one of the best ways to get into his twisted world. Ito loves absurd premises, cutting social commentary, and revolting body horror, and stories like "The Rib Woman," where a vain girl undergoes bone-removal surgery to match her rival's thin waist, deliver the chills in a way that nobody else can.
Directors: Atsuhiro Yamada, Ryōta Kondō, Yūta Shimotsu
Stars: Kanata Hosoda, Nijirô Murakami, Yuri Tsunematsu
Genre: Horror
Rating: TV-MA
IMDB Rating: 5.1/10
Get Jiro (October 4)
Based on the graphic novel by Anthony Bourdain, Get Jiro is a new Adult Swim series that follows the tribulations of a sushi chef in near-future Los Angeles. When Jiro has to kill a customer for his bad manners, he catches the attention of the organized crime groups that run the town, all of which want his unique skills for themselves. The show has been in production for nearly a decade, and it looks really solid, with a great visual style and cameos from several notable chefs.
Stars: Brian Tee, Titus Welliver, Alison Pill
Genre: Animation
Rating: TV-MA
The Serial Killer Connection (October 7)
The crimes of a serial killer can have widespread repercussions. New Investigation Discovery series The Serial Killer Connection explores those through the case of true monster Richard Evonitz, who kidnapped and killed at least three teenage girls in the '80s and '90s. He was caught after his final prospective victim, Kara Robinson, escaped and was able to lead police to him, at which point he took his own life. The show brings together Robinson and Evonitz's ex-wife, who was married to him during many of his crimes, to try to bring closure to the families of his victims.
Stars: Bonnie Lou Gower, Kara Robinson Chamberlain
Genre: Documentary
Rating: TV-14
HBO Max New Releases This Week
October 2
Batwheels - Season 3
Maine Cabin Masters - Season 13
Strange: Junji Ito’s Tales for Sleepless Nights - Season 1
The Torment - Season 1
October 3
Impractical Jokers - Season 13A
Gold Rush - Season 17
October 4
Be My Guest With Ina Garten - Season 8
Get Jiro - Season 1
October 5
90 Day Fiance: The Other Way - Season 8
Sister Wives - Season 21
October 6
90 Day: Hunt for Love - Season 2
Crazy Rich Asians
Sweet Deceit - Season 1
Nepal’s Deadly Floods With Anderson Cooper, The Whole Story With Anderson Cooper
October 7
The Serial Killer Connection
October 8
Sin City Rehab - Season 2
Top of the World
About Our Expert
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
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Get Jiro
(Credit: HBO Max)