Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring critique examines the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a masterful acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This produces a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has made the local kids on edge. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain achieves to depict the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars sported by the actor's British agent. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
