Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into starring in a fitness program on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome process titled the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from writing about international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the local kids frightened. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, however Chastain achieves to present the character with compassion. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars sported by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – including is his spouse. Each performer are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
