Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying process known as "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from writing about international wars to join a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, plus additional filthy rich guests. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the local kids on edge. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates the worst. However, the old telephone on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet the lead actress manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
