Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress presents a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome process called "The Substance". This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller includes Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from covering world issues to board an opulent ship with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other affluent individuals. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has rendered the children frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. Yet the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and hypocrisy, however the lead actress achieves to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
