Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring commentary tackles the tyranny of female beauty and the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has rendered the local kids anxious. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
