Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying procedure called this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself called Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story includes Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries with this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has left the children anxious. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from the filmmaker presents a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Both actors excel of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
