Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire tackles the tyranny of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into presenting a fitness program on television. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a progressively toxic connection between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery includes Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to join a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has left the children anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals commence capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to present the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
