Top Selection
This Satirical Thriller
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features the talented actress as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from covering world issues to board a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, and other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities with this innovative supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has rendered the local kids anxious. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet the lead actress achieves to show the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks used by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a double agent among the team from five suspects – including is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
