Top Selection
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's bold critique addresses the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to starring in a workout series on TV. Pushed out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from covering world issues to join a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, plus additional affluent passengers. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries with this clever supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has made the children frightened. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, however the lead actress manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
