Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process called "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has made the children anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet Chastain manages to present the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
