Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into starring in a fitness program on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome process titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from writing about world issues to board a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent individuals. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. But the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though the lead actress achieves to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – including is his own wife. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
