Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to presenting a workout series on TV. Forced aside by her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome treatment called "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes some time off from reporting on global conflict to embark on an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional filthy rich passengers. But after an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a fatal end. But the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to show the character with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
