Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore offers an inspired portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting a workout series on television. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying treatment called the Substance. This produces a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from writing about international wars to join a high-end voyage with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional affluent passengers. However when an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like 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. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic film star playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the children frightened. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. Yet the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about capitalizing on the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry by the same director delivers a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
