Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire examines the demanding standards for women's appearance along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out by her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a secretive and gruesome process called the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery stars Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from writing about international wars to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities with this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has made the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he fears a fatal end. But the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema
