Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore presents an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into hosting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying procedure called the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from covering international wars to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has made the youth anxious. Once Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though the lead actress manages to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to discover a double agent among the team from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
