Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure titled the Substance. This produces a younger clone named Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, as well as other affluent guests. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest remains effective even without a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has left the youth frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. But the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Chastain succeeds to depict the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's second offering by the same director is a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
