Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Edged out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery includes Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich passengers. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well even without a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has made the local kids on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals commence profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and hypocrisy, however the lead actress manages to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's second offering by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. The supporting cast participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
