Top Selection
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of female beauty and the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process known as "The Substance". This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller includes the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from writing about international wars to join a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, and other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills in this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the children on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears the worst. Yet the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress succeeds to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a traitor among the team from a group of five – including is his own wife. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
