Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into hosting an aerobics show on television. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a secretive and terrifying treatment called this experimental method. This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes some time off from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich individuals. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this clever supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has left the youth frightened. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. But the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
