Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold commentary tackles the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to hosting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process known as the Substance. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery features the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from reporting on world issues to board an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this innovative supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, several disappearances has rendered the local kids on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
