Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary tackles the tyranny of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging film star forced into presenting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from covering global conflict to embark on an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective even without a follow-up. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has left the children frightened. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. But the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a mole among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
