Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's daring critique tackles the demanding standards for women's appearance and the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying process titled the Substance. This generates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from writing about international wars to board a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other affluent individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. When Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence capitalizing on the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to present the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as tight similar to the collars used by the actor's British agent. His assignment is to discover a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
