Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying process known as this experimental method. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from reporting on global conflict to join a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a continuation. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. But the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress manages to present the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry by the same director is a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks used by the actor's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
