Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to starring in an aerobics show on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a fatal end. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's second offering by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. Both actors excel of calm composure, leading to a delightful psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema
