Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to a secretive and horrifying treatment called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, several disappearances has made the local kids on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Chastain succeeds to depict the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release from the filmmaker is a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
