Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into hosting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery stars Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from reporting on international wars to embark on a luxury cruise alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror remains effective even without a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has rendered the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
