Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold commentary addresses the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying process titled "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from covering world issues to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities in this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unique performing skills is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the children on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about monetising the people's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Both actors are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
