Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to hosting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside due to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller features the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to embark on a high-end voyage with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. However when an unknown lady falls into the sea one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children frightened. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain manages to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
