Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique tackles the tyranny of female beauty and the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying process known as the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to board a high-end voyage alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other affluent individuals. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities in this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unique performing skills is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has rendered the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. Both actors excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
