Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore presents an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process titled this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from reporting on world issues to board an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, and other extremely wealthy passengers. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills in this clever supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has made the youth on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads the worst. But the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain succeeds to depict the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as sharp similar to the collars worn by the actor's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
