Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting a fitness program on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome process known as "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from writing about global conflict to board a luxury cruise with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the children anxious. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the old telephone in the room continues to ring, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to present the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering by the same director is a espionage tale as precise similar to the collars sported by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
