Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on television. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure called this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from writing about international wars to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, plus additional affluent passengers. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities through this nifty supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has left the local kids anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the people's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
