Top Selection
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out by her slimy boss Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying procedure called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit story stars the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from writing about world issues to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other filthy rich passengers. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has made the children anxious. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, early morning, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema
