Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into starring in a workout series on TV. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from writing about global conflict to board a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has made the children on edge. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering by the same director is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a traitor inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. The two stars excel of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
