Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress presents a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a secretive and terrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional affluent passengers. However when an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has left the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a basement, he fears the worst. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a traitor among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
