Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying process titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and donor, her spouse, and other affluent guests. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has made the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Chastain manages to show the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
