Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire examines the tyranny of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure called the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on world issues to join a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, and other extremely wealthy passengers. However when an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has left the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he anticipates the worst. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Chastain manages to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
