Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring satire addresses the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome procedure known as "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about world issues to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. However when a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has made the youth frightened. Once Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears the worst. However, the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Chastain succeeds to show the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
