Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Forced aside by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome procedure known as this experimental method. This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from reporting on international wars to join a luxury cruise alongside a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional affluent guests. But after an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries in this clever supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his unique performing skills is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has left the children anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
