Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to starring in a fitness program on TV. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome process titled "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other affluent individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the local kids on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
