Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to presenting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying treatment known as the Substance. This generates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from writing about international wars to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, plus additional affluent passengers. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this nifty supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. But the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to discover a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – including is his spouse. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
