Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the dreaded aspects of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from reporting on international wars to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, and other affluent individuals. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the poltergeist, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom via this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Set in 1978 Denver, several kidnappings has made the children on edge. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the non-functional line on the wall repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, though Chastain succeeds to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as tight similar to the collars used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie takes place. The supporting cast participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
