Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore presents a masterful acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to hosting a workout series on television. Pushed out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying process called "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery stars the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on world issues to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich guests. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has made the local kids on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, though the lead actress achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a mole among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
