Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome procedure known as this experimental method. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a break from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities through this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though the lead actress manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
