Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore offers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to hosting a workout series on television. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying treatment titled this experimental method. This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit story includes Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to join a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent guests. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich superfan Javi. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has left the local kids on edge. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he fears a fatal end. Yet the old telephone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet Chastain manages to show the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
