Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold critique examines the demanding standards for women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star forced into starring in a workout series on TV. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from reporting on international wars to join a high-end voyage with an ailing wealthy inheritor and donor, her spouse, as well as other filthy rich passengers. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his creative boundaries through this innovative supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
