Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the demanding standards for female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to presenting a fitness program on television. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a progressively toxic connection between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story stars the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from reporting on world issues to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has made the local kids anxious. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This week's additional entry by the same director delivers a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks used by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of truth or lie unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
