Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying process titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery features Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to board a high-end voyage with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, and other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the local kids on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and locked up in a basement, he anticipates the worst. Yet the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – among them is his own wife. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
