Highlighted Choice
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold commentary addresses the demanding standards for female beauty and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome treatment called the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery includes Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from reporting on international wars to board an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, as well as other filthy rich passengers. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities through this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of child abductions has made the children on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. However, the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
