Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into hosting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying treatment called this experimental method. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills with this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has left the children frightened. After Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence capitalizing on the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's another release from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
