Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of women's appearance along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a brilliant acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into presenting a workout series on TV. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome procedure called "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering global conflict to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other filthy rich passengers. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this clever ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has rendered the local kids anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he anticipates a fatal end. But the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals commence monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though Chastain succeeds to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
