Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This generates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story features Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from covering world issues to join a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Located in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has made the children anxious. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress achieves to show the character with compassion. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a mole among the team from a group of five – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, the Sky channel