Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress delivers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on TV. Forced aside by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process known as this experimental method. This generates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery stars Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes some time off from covering global conflict to embark on an opulent ship with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich guests. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has made the youth anxious. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Chastain succeeds to depict the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. Both actors are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
