Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the tyranny of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This generates a younger clone named Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, as well as other filthy rich guests. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has made the children on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to depict the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This period's another release from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
