Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to hosting a workout series on television. Pushed out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying procedure called the Substance. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from writing about international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries with this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it seems defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the children anxious. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, however the lead actress achieves to depict the character in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to identify a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
