Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in a workout series on television. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller features the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to board a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional filthy rich guests. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this clever supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the rich superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has made the youth frightened. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though the lead actress succeeds to show the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a mole among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
