Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside by her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. Yet the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, however the lead actress manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's another release by the same director is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Each performer excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle 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 Premiere
