Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to hosting a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying process titled the Substance. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, resulting in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from covering international wars to board a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, as well as other filthy rich guests. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. But the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet the lead actress succeeds to present the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
