Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying procedure known as this experimental method. This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from writing about global conflict to join a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple kidnappings has left the youth frightened. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. Each performer are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
