Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying process called the Substance. This generates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from reporting on global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has left the children on edge. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. But the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
