Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting a workout series on TV. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and horrifying procedure known as the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story includes Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a hiatus from writing about world issues to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this clever supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has made the children on edge. After Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however the lead actress achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
