Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying process called "The Substance". This creates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars the talented actress as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from reporting on world issues to join a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, and other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director tests his creative boundaries through this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, several disappearances has made the youth anxious. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic regarding the shamed televangelist and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain achieves to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release by the same director presents a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to discover a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
