Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold critique examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out by her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This produces a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in an increasingly toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from covering world issues to embark on a luxury cruise with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this clever supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – 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 avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage embraces his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has left the local kids on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks used 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 calm composure, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
