Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary examines the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Pushed out by her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying process known as the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to join an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, and other affluent passengers. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills with this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's unique performing skills is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children anxious. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a mole among the team from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors excel of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
