Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary tackles the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress delivers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star forced into presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying process called "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from covering international wars to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other affluent passengers. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a basement, he fears the worst. However, the old telephone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, however Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of truth or lie unfolds. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
