Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold commentary addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers an inspired portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to join an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other affluent guests. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this nifty supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has rendered the local kids anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
