Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a secretive and terrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to embark on a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other filthy rich guests. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills in this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of child abductions has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's second offering from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a mole within their ranks from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
