Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics along with the feared consequences of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment known as the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from reporting on international wars to join a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, and other affluent guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's another release by the same director presents a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
