Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary addresses the tyranny of women's appearance along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in a workout series on television. Edged out due to her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome process called "The Substance". This produces a younger clone called Sue, leading to a progressively toxic connection between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery stars the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to join an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, plus additional filthy rich individuals. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has left the local kids frightened. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads the worst. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team from a group of five – among them is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema
