Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to presenting an aerobics show on television. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure known as the Substance. This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller includes Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from reporting on world issues to embark on a luxury cruise with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. However when an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this clever ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has made the local kids anxious. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as sharp similar to the collars worn by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are experts of calm composure, leading to a delightful mind game of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
