NEW YORK CITY — As Halloween descends upon New York, the red carpet at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala transformed into a stage for Hollywood’s rising stars to confront their deepest anxieties and share their cinematic obsessions. On the evening of October 29, the event—which celebrates the world’s most influential emerging leaders—took an eerie turn as guests were asked to trade their typical industry insights for confessions about the things that truly go bump in the night.
For Paapa Essiedu, the acclaimed actor currently preparing for his role in the highly anticipated HBO Harry Potter adaptation, the season is all about high-octane suspense. Essiedu threw his weight behind the modern horror hit Obsession, praising it as a masterclass in tension. “It’s terrifying, it’s entertaining, it’s a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant movie,” Essiedu remarked, clearly impressed by the craft behind the screen.
The filmmaker behind that very movie, Curry Barker, was also in attendance, proving that his appreciation for the genre extends far beyond his own work. Demonstrating an encyclopedic knowledge of horror history, Barker listed a gamut of influences ranging from the foundational slasher terror of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and A Nightmare on Elm Street to the modern psychological dread of Hereditary and Midsommar. Barker also offered a glimpse into his own future, confirming that he is currently hard at work on a new project titled Anything But Ghosts, slated for release next May.
While some stars looked to the screen for their chills, others found that reality is far more frightening than fiction. Former Saturday Night Live cast member and comedian Chloe Fineman took an existential turn when asked about her biggest fears. Eschewing jump scares and monsters, Fineman pointed to the digital landscape, noting that modern life has become a source of genuine trepidation. “Instagram kind of is my horror movie,” she admitted, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who find the current state of social media and the 24-hour news cycle to be the ultimate source of modern dread.
Meanwhile, musician Conan Gray opted for a more nostalgic, atmospheric approach, naming the cozy cult classic Practical Magic as his essential holiday watch. The choice prompted a discussion with actress Joey King, who starred in the recent Practical Magic 2. King revealed that her time working on the supernatural franchise has left her with a complex relationship with the “thin veil” between worlds.
“I’ve had some scary stuff happen, I’ve had some sweet stuff happen, but the scary stuff scared the s*** out of me when I was younger,” King shared. While she now feels more comfortable embracing the spiritual side of life, she draws a hard line at consulting a medium. “I’ve always wanted to see one, but I’m too scared,” she confessed. “I don’t want to know what’s going to happen to me. I don’t want to know what my future holds.”
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