Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to starring in a workout series on television. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone named Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from covering global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic film star playing himself who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has made the youth anxious. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he dreads the worst. Yet the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain manages to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks used by the actor's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor among the team from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
