Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore presents an inspired portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into hosting a workout series on television. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying process known as the Substance. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from covering international wars to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. But after an unknown lady falls into the sea one night and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he fears the worst. However, the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet the lead actress achieves to present the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to discover a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
