Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection between them. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering international wars to embark on a high-end voyage with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities through this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He plays an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the potential kingpin, his unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has left the youth on edge. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. But the old telephone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who states initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie develops. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
