Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery features the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from writing about global conflict to join an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director pushes his directorial skills in this nifty supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to spy on the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has rendered the youth frightened. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, though Chastain manages to present the character in a likable light. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks worn by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a mole inside the organization from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
