Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty and the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore presents a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to starring in a workout series on television. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a secretive and horrifying procedure called "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself named Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to join a high-end voyage with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director pushes his directorial skills through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, his unique performing skills is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has rendered the children on edge. When Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's additional entry by the same director delivers a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
