Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying process known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from covering global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, and other extremely wealthy individuals. However when an unknown lady falls into the sea one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has rendered the youth anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – including is his spouse. Both actors are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
