Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to hosting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying procedure known as this experimental method. This generates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from reporting on international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, plus additional filthy rich passengers. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the local kids on edge. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. However, the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
