Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying process titled this experimental method. This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to join a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his creative boundaries in this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has rendered the children anxious. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however the lead actress achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
