Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a younger clone named Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery features the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to embark on a high-end voyage alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays an egotistical film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor plays the venal Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress succeeds to present the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks sported by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer excel of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
