Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome process called "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from reporting on global conflict to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well without requiring a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has made the children frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are experts of calm composure, leading to a delightful mind game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
