Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this clever supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the youth on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he anticipates the worst. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, though Chastain succeeds to present the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering by the same director is a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks used by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
