Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into presenting a workout series on television. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a secretive and terrifying treatment called "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard one night and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a celebration in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has rendered the children on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars worn by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
