Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching satire addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into starring in a workout series on TV. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying procedure called the Substance. This generates a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from covering global conflict to join a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children anxious. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears the worst. But the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
