Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome treatment titled the Substance. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery includes Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from covering world issues to board a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, and other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple kidnappings has made the local kids frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the non-functional line on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a mole within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his own wife. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
