Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome procedure known as "The Substance". This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller features Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from writing about world issues to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, and other extremely wealthy guests. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the local kids on edge. When Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates the worst. But the old telephone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals commence monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's second offering by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a traitor among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
