Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance along with the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in an aerobics show on television. Pushed out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller includes Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from covering world issues to embark on an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries with this innovative supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, several disappearances has rendered the children frightened. After Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. But the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. October 11th, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence monetising the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering by the same director delivers a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars used by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
