Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring satire tackles the demanding standards for women's appearance and the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into starring in a fitness program on television. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying treatment titled the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller includes the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to board a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, and other filthy rich guests. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has left the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and locked up in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's delightfully tacky biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who states initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's another release from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
