Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities in this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has left the youth on edge. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence monetising the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, yet Chastain manages to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to identify a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of understated style, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
