Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying procedure called this experimental method. This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from covering world issues to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, and other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the local kids anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to show the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
