Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's daring satire tackles the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics along with the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress presents a masterful performance as Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to presenting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage with an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, plus additional filthy rich passengers. However when an unknown lady goes overboard one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities with this nifty supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the local kids on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and bad faith, though the lead actress manages to depict the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
