Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying process called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from writing about international wars to board a high-end voyage alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, and other filthy rich guests. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has made the children on edge. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. However, the old telephone on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals commence profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema
