Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary addresses the tyranny of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Demi Moore offers a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out by her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying treatment known as "The Substance". This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, his unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong even without a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, multiple kidnappings has left the local kids anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears the worst. But the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, and the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
