Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to hosting a workout series on TV. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This generates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller stars Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from covering global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, as well as other affluent guests. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence profiting from the people's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to present Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors are masters of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
