Top Selection
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome process called "The Substance". This produces a younger clone named Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other affluent guests. But after an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the local kids anxious. When Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he fears the worst. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. The two stars excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
