Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore presents an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into starring in a fitness program on TV. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome procedure titled this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a hiatus from writing about world issues to join an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has left the children frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. But the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, and the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the people's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as sharp similar to the collars sported by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars excel of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
