Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's bold critique examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore presents an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into starring in a fitness program on TV. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and terrifying process titled "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from reporting on world issues to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, and other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills with this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has made the youth anxious. When Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in this director's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, though the lead actress achieves to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's British agent. His assignment is to identify a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
