Highlighted Choice
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress offers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to starring in a fitness program on TV. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process known as this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a hiatus from writing about global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. However when a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his unique fame in this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
