Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to starring in a fitness program on television. Edged out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying treatment called the Substance. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has made the youth on edge. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars used by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
