Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to hosting a fitness program on television. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process called "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from writing about global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor embraces his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has made the children on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though the lead actress achieves to present the character in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent among the team from a group of five – including is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
