Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore offers a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to starring in a fitness program on TV. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying treatment known as the Substance. This creates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection between them. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from writing about global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple disappearances has made the children anxious. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals commence monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though Chastain achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – including is his own wife. The two stars are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie develops. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
