Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in a fitness program on TV. Edged out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome procedure titled "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit story stars Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from reporting on global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, evening, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has left the children frightened. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin capitalizing on the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release by the same director is a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
