Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique examines the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore offers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to starring in a fitness program on TV. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery includes Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to board a high-end voyage with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has made the youth anxious. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars used by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors excel of understated style, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
