Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress presents an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Edged out by her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a secretive and terrifying process titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features the talented actress as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from covering international wars to board a high-end voyage alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, and other filthy rich guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries with this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals commence monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
