Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into hosting an aerobics show on television. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying process known as this experimental method. This creates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery stars the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from reporting on global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent passengers. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has made the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a mole within their ranks from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
