Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary addresses the tyranny of female beauty and the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying treatment titled this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery includes Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from covering international wars to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the local kids anxious. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a fatal end. Yet the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
