Top Selection
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying procedure known as the Substance. This produces a younger clone named Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from writing about world issues to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, and other affluent passengers. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard one night and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the children anxious. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. But the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This period's another release by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
