Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring commentary examines the demanding standards for female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore presents a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to hosting a workout series on television. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying treatment called the Substance. This creates a new version of herself called Sue, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from writing about international wars to embark on a luxury cruise with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional filthy rich individuals. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth anxious. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain manages to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole among the team from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast take part the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
