Top Selection
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself called Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit story stars Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from covering world issues to join a luxury cruise with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. However when an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this clever ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has left the children anxious. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he fears the worst. But the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Chastain manages to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his spouse. The two stars are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
