Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire examines the tyranny of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress presents a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features the talented actress as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from reporting on world issues to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, and other filthy rich individuals. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this nifty supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has made the children anxious. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. However, the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. October 11th, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a mole inside the organization from five suspects – including is his spouse. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
