Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into presenting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome process called "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from reporting on world issues to embark on a luxury cruise with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries through this clever supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has made the youth anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he dreads the worst. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain manages to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole among the team from five suspects – among them is his own wife. The two stars are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
