Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to hosting a fitness program on television. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying process known as "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery features the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from writing about world issues to board an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, as well as other affluent guests. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids frightened. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though the lead actress achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
