Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside due to her slimy boss Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome procedure known as the Substance. This produces a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from covering world issues to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries with this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic film star playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though the lead actress succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
