Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to hosting a workout series on TV. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying treatment known as "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery includes the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to join a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. However, the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about monetising the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain manages to present the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks used by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
