Top Selection
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire examines the tyranny of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into starring in a workout series on TV. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from reporting on international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple kidnappings has rendered the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. However, the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
