Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature actress demoted to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying process called this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from writing about global conflict to board a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, and other extremely wealthy passengers. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and everyone insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this innovative supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, his unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. But the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who declares early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain manages to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as sharp similar to the collars used by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a double agent among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. Both actors excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
