Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress presents a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities in this innovative ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has rendered the local kids on edge. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain manages to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
