Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique examines the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process known as the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller stars the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to join a luxury cruise with an ailing wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, plus additional affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his film-making abilities in this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has made the local kids frightened. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, bad makeup and hypocrisy, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
