Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress offers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome process known as "The Substance". This produces a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story features the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on global conflict to board an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the local kids anxious. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team from a group of five – including is his spouse. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
