Top Selection
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold satire addresses the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress presents a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from reporting on international wars to board an opulent ship with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, plus additional affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has left the youth frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers giving advice, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a mole among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
