Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress presents a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process titled "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit story includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from reporting on international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the perspective of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has made the local kids anxious. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
