Highlighted Choice
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring satire tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress presents an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to hosting a workout series on television. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit story features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to join an opulent ship with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries with this innovative supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills is put to the test. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective even without a continuation. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has left the children on edge. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks used by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. The two stars excel of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
