Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment titled the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to join a luxury cruise with a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a festive event in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong even without a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the children on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a basement, he anticipates the worst. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain manages to present the character in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as sharp similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
