Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about global conflict to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director tests his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has left the youth frightened. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
