Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire tackles the tyranny of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore presents an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller features Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from reporting on world issues to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, and other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this clever ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has left the children on edge. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals commence monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
