Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying process titled the Substance. This generates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features the talented actress in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from reporting on international wars to join an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, and other filthy rich guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills in this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his unique fame in this autobiographical spoof. He plays an egotistical film star playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror holds up well without requiring a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has made the youth frightened. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain succeeds to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
