Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into starring in a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to join a high-end voyage with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, and other filthy rich passengers. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. But the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Chastain succeeds to depict the character in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
