This week offers a rich mix of cultural events across Europe, from a new DC villain origin story to an exhibition on America's early history. And with the clocks falling back on Sunday, it's also a perfect excuse to stay indoors with a gripping TV series.
Exhibitions and events
'Becoming America' at the Science Museum, London
To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Science Museum in London presents Becoming America, a fascinating look at how science and technology shaped the early United States. The exhibition runs from 23 October 2026 to 25 April 2027 and features over a hundred rare objects, including a first printing of the Declaration and a map by Benjamin Franklin charting the Gulf Stream. It's a timely reflection on a nation that has become both influential and divisive.
Conny Maier at the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
German painter Conny Maier, winner of the 2021 Deutsche Bank Artist of the Year award, transforms Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne into an eerie, enchanting purgatory. Her bold canvases—from pastel pink florals to flaming woodlands—draw on medieval art and Expressionism to explore non-human worlds and our collective fragility. The exhibition is open from 21 October 2026 to 17 January 2027.
Bonus: The fifth edition of Art Basel Paris takes place at the Grand Palais from 23 to 25 October 2026, offering a vast array of contemporary art.
Movies
'Clayface' – body horror in the DC Universe
DC's 'Gods and Monsters' chapter continues with Clayface, an origin story for one of Batman's most iconic foes. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, an actor disfigured by a mob boss who undergoes experimental facial reconstruction. Written by Mike Flanagan, known for his Stephen King adaptations, the film leans into body horror as Hagen mutates into a clay-like form while his sanity unravels. In cinemas from 23 October.
Also out: Taika Waititi's adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun, featuring Jenna Ortega as a companion robot for a sick girl, opens in most European countries on 23 October.
TV series
'The Terminal List' season 2 on Prime Video
For those missing Reacher, Prime Video offers another gritty action series. Based on Jack Carr's novels, The Terminal List follows Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) as he seeks vengeance for his platoon's deaths and uncovers dark government secrets. In season 2, Reece's grief intensifies after his family's murder, driving him on a violent global quest for justice. All episodes drop on 21 October.
Music
John Legend's 'Muse'
John Legend returns with Muse, a 16-track album blending soul, gospel, hip-hop, and Afrobeats, recorded at Pharrell Williams' studio in Paris. The collaboration explores faith, devotion, and intimacy, marking a creative rebirth for the two longtime friends. Available from 23 October.
For more cultural highlights, check out our coverage of the top European Christmas markets or the scariest horror films if you're in the mood for a fright.
