Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into starring in a workout series on the small screen. Edged out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from writing about global conflict to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. However when an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor embraces his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has left the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. But the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, yet the lead actress succeeds to depict the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker is a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
