Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary tackles the tyranny of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome process called "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself named Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to join a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this nifty supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple kidnappings has rendered the youth anxious. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to show the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is his spouse. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
