Highlighted Choice
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore presents a masterful performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome treatment called the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from reporting on international wars to board an opulent ship with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed film star playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the local kids on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain manages to depict the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole among the team out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
