Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the tyranny of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress presents a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome process called this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller includes the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich passengers. However when an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities in this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has left the children on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to present the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of truth or lie develops. The supporting cast take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema