Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring satire examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to hosting a fitness program on TV. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome process titled the Substance. This generates a younger clone named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has left the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. However, the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's another release from the filmmaker presents a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. Each performer are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
