Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold commentary tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from covering international wars to board an opulent ship alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other filthy rich individuals. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities with this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has made the local kids on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads the worst. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Chastain succeeds to present the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release by the same director delivers a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars sported by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
