Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the demanding standards for female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying process titled the Substance. This generates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic among both women. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story features Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to board an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, as well as other affluent individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has made the children anxious. When Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however the lead actress achieves to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer excel of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
