Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying process known as "The Substance". This generates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship among both women. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from writing about international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional filthy rich guests. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director challenges his creative boundaries with this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical film star playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective even without a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has left the youth on edge. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence monetising the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors take part the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
