Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This generates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to join a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy guests. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic film star playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has made the youth frightened. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. But the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, though the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a double agent within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
