Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary examines the demanding standards for female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging film star forced into hosting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome process called the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries in this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest stands strong even without a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he fears the worst. But the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a mole inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
