Top Selection
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the tyranny of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to hosting a fitness program on television. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller stars the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from writing about international wars to embark on a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities through this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the youth frightened. After Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. But the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor plays the venal Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Chastain manages to present the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry by the same director delivers a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
