Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome process titled this experimental method. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story features the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from writing about world issues to join a high-end voyage with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, and other extremely wealthy guests. But after an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills through this innovative supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has left the youth anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story about the fallen TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though the lead actress achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema
