Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance and the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into presenting a fitness program on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome treatment called the Substance. This produces a younger clone called Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic film star playing himself who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the children anxious. Once Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a basement, he anticipates the worst. But the old telephone in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
