Top Selection
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique examines the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics along with the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore presents a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying treatment titled this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich passengers. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this clever ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror remains effective even without a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has made the children frightened. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, though Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
