Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring commentary tackles the tyranny of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying process called this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit mystery includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from covering global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional affluent guests. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, his unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin profiting from the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, yet the lead actress achieves to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a mole among the team from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast take part the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
