Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress presents a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on television. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying procedure called the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller includes Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to join a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this clever supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has left the local kids anxious. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. But the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to depict the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release by the same director is a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars sported by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a mole within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
