Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to hosting a workout series on TV. Forced aside due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering international wars to embark on a high-end voyage with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy passengers. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical celebrity playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the local kids anxious. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for greed in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. The two stars excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
