Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome treatment titled this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller includes Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from reporting on global conflict to embark on an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the children on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads the worst. However, the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release by the same director is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
