Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the tyranny of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a secretive and terrifying process known as this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from writing about global conflict to join an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other filthy rich passengers. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has rendered the youth anxious. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, however the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema