Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into hosting a workout series on TV. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process called this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features the talented actress in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from writing about world issues to board an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, as well as other affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this clever ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the children anxious. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the people's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however the lead actress achieves to show the character in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release by the same director is a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
