Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from covering world issues to embark on a luxury cruise with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other filthy rich guests. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this clever ghostly tale filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical celebrity playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong even without a continuation. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple kidnappings has made the local kids on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. However, the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
