Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, an aging film star forced into starring in an aerobics show on television. Edged out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome procedure called "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from writing about global conflict to board a luxury cruise with an ailing wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. However when an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the children anxious. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, however Chastain succeeds to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering from the filmmaker presents a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a mole among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema