Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching satire tackles the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into presenting a workout series on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying treatment known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from covering international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids anxious. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema
