Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying process known as "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story features the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to embark on an opulent ship with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other filthy rich individuals. However when an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this nifty supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, his unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the children on edge. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for materialism in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks used by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a double agent within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are experts of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
