Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary tackles the demanding standards for female beauty along with the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress presents a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into starring in a workout series on television. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying procedure called the Substance. This produces a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this innovative supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective without requiring a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has rendered the children frightened. Once Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a mole among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Each performer are masters of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
