Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from covering world issues to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, plus additional filthy rich individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has left the local kids on edge. After Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he fears the worst. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor plays the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals commence monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
