Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome procedure titled the Substance. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery includes the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from reporting on world issues to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries through this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple disappearances has left the local kids frightened. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a fatal end. But the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about profiting from the people's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as precise similar to the collars worn by the actor's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
