Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into hosting a fitness program on television. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying process known as "The Substance". This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, and other affluent individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the children frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by the actor's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – among them is his own wife. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
