Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's bold critique examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, a mature actress reduced to presenting a fitness program on TV. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome process called the Substance. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from covering world issues to join a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, and other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Out now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills in this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the children frightened. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though the lead actress achieves to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a mole among the team from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
