Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a secretive and horrifying treatment called the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes some time off from covering world issues to board a high-end voyage alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional affluent passengers. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills in this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, his unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Chastain manages to present the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars sported by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
