Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome process called the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from covering world issues to embark on a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, plus additional affluent individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to spy on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror remains effective even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the local kids frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. However, the old telephone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a double agent among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
