Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary tackles the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress offers an inspired acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying treatment called this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself named Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from covering global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other affluent passengers. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries with this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a continuation. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has made the children frightened. After Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to present the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a double agent among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
