Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into hosting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from writing about global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich guests. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a narcissistic film star playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, his unique performing skills is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. However, the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
