Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying treatment known as the Substance. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a break from writing about global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has rendered the children frightened. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. But the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic regarding the shamed televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though Chastain succeeds to present the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a espionage tale as tight as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a mole inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. Each performer are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie develops. The supporting cast participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
