Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting a workout series on TV. Edged out by her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying procedure titled this experimental method. This creates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic film star named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror holds up well even without a follow-up. Located in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has left the local kids on edge. When Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a basement, he anticipates the worst. Yet the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who declares initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet Jessica Chastain succeeds to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's second offering by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars used by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
