Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the demanding standards for female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying process known as this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself named Sue, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering world issues to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other affluent individuals. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his film-making abilities in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several disappearances has made the children anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he fears the worst. Yet the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, however the lead actress manages to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Each performer excel of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
