Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore presents an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into hosting a workout series on television. Edged out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from writing about world issues to board a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other affluent individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills with this clever ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has left the local kids frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he fears the worst. But the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as sharp similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
