Highlighted Choice
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress presents a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome treatment known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes some time off from covering global conflict to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea one night and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame in this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Located in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has rendered the local kids frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry by the same director delivers a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
