Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into starring in a workout series on the small screen. Edged out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying process titled "The Substance". This produces a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to board a high-end voyage with a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, and other affluent individuals. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has made the local kids on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals commence capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, however Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole inside the organization from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
