Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from reporting on world issues to board an opulent ship with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has left the youth on edge. When Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and hypocrisy, however Chastain manages to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release by the same director is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks used by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
