Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring commentary tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to hosting a workout series on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome process known as this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to board an opulent ship with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, and other affluent passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries with this innovative supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the local kids anxious. Once Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to depict the character with compassion. October 14th, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars worn by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie takes place. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
