Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to hosting a workout series on television. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying procedure called the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to join an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his unique fame in this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the local kids frightened. When Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about monetising the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Chastain manages to present the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie takes place. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
