Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold satire addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics along with the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on TV. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying treatment called the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit story stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, as well as other affluent passengers. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry by the same director is a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
