Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique examines the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into starring in a workout series on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying treatment called the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from reporting on international wars to board a high-end voyage with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other filthy rich passengers. However when a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several disappearances has left the local kids anxious. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to show the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – including is his spouse. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
