Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into hosting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from covering international wars to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries with this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has left the children on edge. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a mole within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
