Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary tackles the tyranny of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to starring in a workout series on television. Edged out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from reporting on world issues to board a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, and other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has left the children on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, though the lead actress succeeds to depict the character with compassion. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
