Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore presents an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome treatment called this experimental method. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from writing about international wars to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries through this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. After Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a fatal end. But the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's additional entry by the same director presents a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by the actor's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
