Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure known as the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries through this clever supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the youth anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he fears the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer excel of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
