Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary examines the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to hosting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying treatment called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story stars Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from reporting on international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has rendered the local kids anxious. After Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering by the same director presents a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole among the team from a group of five – including is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
