Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into presenting a workout series on TV. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying procedure titled the Substance. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story stars the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from writing about global conflict to embark on an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, and other extremely wealthy individuals. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his creative boundaries through this clever supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the local kids on edge. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show the character in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema
