Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire tackles the tyranny of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into hosting a fitness program on television. Forced aside by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome treatment titled the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller stars the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from covering international wars to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent passengers. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic film star playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective without requiring a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has rendered the children on edge. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. But the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to present the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
