Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from writing about global conflict to board an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent guests. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has rendered the local kids frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. But the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor plays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain succeeds to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering by the same director delivers a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. The two stars excel of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
