Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique examines the tyranny of female beauty and the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress offers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying procedure titled the Substance. This generates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from writing about global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills in this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple child abductions has made the local kids frightened. After Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
Black Bag
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks worn by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
