Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying procedure called the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from covering world issues to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich guests. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has left the children anxious. Once Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – including is his own wife. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
