Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into hosting a workout series on television. Forced aside due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from writing about international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich guests. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a continuation. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has left the children on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he fears a fatal end. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, though the lead actress manages to present the character in a likable light. October 14th, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
