Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from reporting on world issues to join a luxury cruise accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills with this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He plays an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he fears a fatal end. But the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain achieves to present the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors excel of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
