Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary tackles the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a secretive and terrifying process called this experimental method. This produces a younger clone named Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit mystery stars the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from covering global conflict to join an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has made the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a mole among the team from a group of five – including is his spouse. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
