Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary examines the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to starring in a fitness program on TV. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying process known as "The Substance". This generates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the youth on edge. When Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about profiting from the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. Each performer are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
