Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into hosting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as "The Substance". This produces a younger clone named Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective even without a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. But the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Chastain manages to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole among the team out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
