Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into hosting an aerobics show on television. Edged out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying treatment known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story stars Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from writing about international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals commence profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks used by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
