Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore presents a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome process titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a progressively toxic connection between them. This Friday, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from covering world issues to join an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other affluent passengers. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical film star playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has made the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks worn by the actor's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a mole inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
