Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress presents an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome process called "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to join an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this clever ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple disappearances has left the local kids on edge. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. But the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though Chastain succeeds to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering by the same director is a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors take part the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
