Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into presenting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process called the Substance. This creates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from reporting on world issues to join a high-end voyage alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. However when an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director tests his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well even without a follow-up. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has rendered the children on edge. When Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to show the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
