Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to starring in a workout series on television. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a secretive and gruesome treatment titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller features the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from covering global conflict to join a luxury cruise with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Chastain achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as sharp similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
