Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and gruesome procedure titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from reporting on international wars to board a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong even without a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has left the children frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, however the lead actress achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars worn by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent among the team from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
