Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into starring in a fitness program on TV. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome process known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from covering global conflict to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, plus additional affluent guests. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, 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, a series of kidnappings has left the youth anxious. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. However, the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's second offering by the same director delivers a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a double agent within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
