Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress presents a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to hosting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, and other filthy rich passengers. However when a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the local kids frightened. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals commence capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to present Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
