Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the demanding standards for women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress offers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into presenting a fitness program on television. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome procedure titled "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story features Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from reporting on international wars to board a luxury cruise with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills through this clever ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has made the children anxious. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
