Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the tyranny of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into presenting a workout series on television. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying treatment called this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a break from covering international wars to join a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her spouse, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like guarding her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has made the youth on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain manages to present the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
