Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and horrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard one night and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh tests his directorial skills with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of child abductions has left the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he dreads the worst. Yet the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though the lead actress manages to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry by the same director is a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
