Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying procedure called "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to embark on a high-end voyage with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities through this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic film star playing himself who accepts a million-dollar gig to visit a celebration in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest remains effective even without a continuation. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. But the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor plays the venal Jim, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about capitalizing on the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Each performer excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
