Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome process called this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from covering international wars to join an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest remains effective even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has made the children frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. Yet the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor plays the venal Jim, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Chastain manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. The two stars excel of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
