Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the demanding standards for female beauty along with the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into hosting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent individuals. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills in this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the local kids anxious. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a mole inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie takes place. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
