Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome treatment titled "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering global conflict to join a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other filthy rich guests. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has made the children on edge. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears the worst. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
