Top Selection
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying treatment titled this experimental method. This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from covering world issues to board a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has rendered the children frightened. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a basement, he anticipates a fatal end. But the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry by the same director delivers a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
