Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique examines the tyranny of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress presents an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome procedure titled this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy guests. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
The acclaimed director pushes his directorial skills in this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, several disappearances has made the children anxious. After Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
