Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to starring in a fitness program on TV. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome procedure known as the Substance. This produces a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller includes Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from writing about global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries with this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the children anxious. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister 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 Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet the lead actress manages to present the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker is a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks used by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, 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, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
