Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to starring in a fitness program on TV. Forced aside due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly toxic connection among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery stars Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to embark on an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the children on edge. After Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates the worst. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and hypocrisy, yet Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of calm composure, leading to a delightful mind game of truth or lie unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
