Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure called this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from covering global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent guests. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills with this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
