Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching satire examines the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This creates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from writing about global conflict to board an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, plus additional affluent individuals. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has left the youth anxious. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears the worst. But the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals commence monetising the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as sharp similar to the collars sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
