Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore presents a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to presenting a fitness program on television. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and terrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the local kids anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. However, the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though the lead actress succeeds to show the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks sported by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Both actors are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
