Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to presenting a fitness program on TV. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome procedure titled the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit story features Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from writing about international wars to embark on an opulent ship alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. However when an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities through this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has left the children on edge. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in this director's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain succeeds to show the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
