Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to starring in an aerobics show on television. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure titled the Substance. This produces a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from reporting on global conflict to board an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this clever ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective even without a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has rendered the local kids anxious. After Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he fears the worst. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry by the same director is a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks sported by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a mole within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his own wife. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
