Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress presents a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying procedure called "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a progressively toxic connection among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story stars the talented actress as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a break from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. But after an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has made the local kids on edge. Once Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. Yet the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, however Chastain manages to show the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a mole among the team from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
