Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring satire tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore presents an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to a secretive and terrifying treatment titled this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller features the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, though the lead actress manages to show Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
