Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This produces a younger clone named Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from writing about global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, as well as other affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he fears the worst. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release by the same director is a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – including is his spouse. Both actors are experts of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
