Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into hosting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying treatment called this experimental method. This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from reporting on global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional affluent passengers. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has rendered the local kids on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Chastain succeeds to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release by the same director presents a espionage tale as sharp similar to the collars worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema
