The Must List: Frankenstein, Rosalía, And The High-Stakes Of November

The Entertainment Weekly Must List for November 7, 2025, captures a moment of high cultural convergence, spotlighting three vastly different yet equally compelling phenomena dominating film, television, and music. Topping the chart is the much-anticipated debut of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein on Netflix, a visually lush and emotionally resonant reinterpretation of the classic Gothic horror tale. This cinematic event is paired with the return of global reality-TV phenomenon Squid Game: The Challenge, bringing back the drama, spectacle, and intense human stakes that captivated millions. Rounding out the cultural trinity is the release of Lux, the latest sonic offering from genre-defying Spanish superstar Rosalía. This collection of releases underscores a season where grand cinematic vision, high-stakes competition, and artistic innovation demand our attention.

The Dark Brilliance: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a career-defining passion project for the Oscar-winning director, and its arrival on Netflix is a cinematic event that demands immediate viewing. Del Toro is known for imbuing the monstrous with deep, heartbreaking humanity, and this version promises to be no exception.

The film stars Oscar Isaac as the obsessed scientist Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the prosthetic-covered Creature. The narrative centers intensely on the dysfunctional dynamic between creator and creation, emphasizing the deep-seated themes of “daddy issues,” abandonment, and the devastating cycle of pain that results from parental rejection. Del Toro views the story through a distinctly emotional, Gothic lens, ensuring the film is as visually opulent—leveraging the grand scale of the Creature and the atmospheric horror of the setting—as it is psychologically complex, offering a profound, definitive take on the timeless tale.

The Return to the Red Light: Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2

The biggest reality TV spectacle returns with Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, building on the success of its debut by bringing another wave of competitors into the high-stakes, hyper-stylized world of the original Korean drama.

The second season promises to escalate the spectacle, requiring players to navigate colossal children’s games while grappling with moral dilemmas and social maneuvering. The show’s success lies in its exploration of human nature under extreme duress—the greed, alliances, and betrayals that emerge when a massive cash prize is the only reward for survival. While no lives are actually at stake, the producers expertly maintain the dramatic tension, ensuring that the elaborate sets and psychological warfare resonate as deeply as the fictional source material. The return confirms the enduring appeal of competition that is as much about strategy and deceit as it is about luck.

Sonic Opulence: Rosalía’s New Album Lux

In the realm of music, the Must List shines a light on Rosalía, the Spanish artist who has consistently shattered genre boundaries by fusing traditional flamenco with contemporary reggaeton, pop, and electronic sounds. Her new album, Lux (Latin for “light”), is expected to be a pivotal release.

Following the immense critical and commercial success of her previous conceptual works, Lux is anticipated to showcase a more refined, possibly more introspective sound while retaining her signature vocal acrobatics and production flair. The album’s title suggests a shift toward themes of illumination, clarity, or maybe even spiritual searching, contrasting with the high-octane energy of some of her past club anthems. Regardless of the thematic direction, Rosalía’s work is always characterized by rigorous artistry, daring experimentation, and a commitment to advancing the global dialogue around what pop music can be.

Completing the List: Spotlight on Indie Gems

The strength of the Must List often lies in its ability to amplify smaller, yet equally vital, artistic achievements alongside the behemoths of blockbusters and reality TV. This week is no exception, with several crucial, smaller-scale works earning their spot.

Notable entries include Tommy Dorfman’s directorial debut, I Wish You All the Best, a heartfelt coming-of-age story about a non-binary teenager that has been praised for its deep sincerity and the standout performance of star Corey Fogelmanis. On the theatrical front, the Broadway production of Little Bear Ridge Road, starring lauded veterans like Laurie Metcalf, provides the essential dose of high-quality, intimate drama. These picks collectively remind audiences that great art is found across all media, regardless of budget or scale.

The November Vibe: Defining the Cultural Shift

The Must List for November 7 is a definitive statement about the current cultural mood: serious, high-concept drama co-exists with immersive, escapist competition, all soundtracked by the innovative pulse of global pop. The convergence of these distinct art forms—a poetic Gothic horror film, a psychological reality show, and a boundary-pushing album—provides a rich, complex slate of media for consumption. These selections are poised to generate the key conversations, memes, and critical debates that will define the weeks leading into the close of the year.