Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into presenting a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome treatment titled this experimental method. This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from reporting on international wars to board an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other extremely wealthy guests. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has made the youth frightened. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin monetising the people's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress achieves to show the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
