Highlighted Choice
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold commentary tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure called the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery stars Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from covering world issues to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other filthy rich passengers. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles 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 guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several disappearances has made the youth frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. However, the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to identify a traitor inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
