Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in a fitness program on television. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome procedure known as the Substance. This produces a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller includes Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering world issues to board a luxury cruise with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain manages to show the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
