Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire tackles the tyranny of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a fitness program on TV. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a younger clone named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from reporting on world issues to board an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. However when a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities in this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage fully commits to his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has made the local kids anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and locked up in a basement, he dreads the worst. Yet the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as precise similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a mole among the team out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
