Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire tackles the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress presents a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a workout series on TV. Pushed out by her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from covering world issues to embark on an opulent ship alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries through this clever ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has made the children on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's another release by the same director presents a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars are masters of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
