Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into presenting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a secretive and horrifying process known as this experimental method. This creates a younger clone named Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from reporting on world issues to board a high-end voyage alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has rendered the children on edge. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet Chastain manages to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. His assignment is to discover a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
