Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting a fitness program on TV. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying process known as "The Substance". This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from writing about international wars to join an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of child abductions has made the youth anxious. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. However, the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however the lead actress manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a mole among the team from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
