Top Selection
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a secretive and horrifying procedure titled the Substance. This generates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story stars the talented actress as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering world issues to board a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities through this clever ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame in this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has left the children anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. However, the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars used by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
