Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying process called this experimental method. This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from reporting on international wars to board a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. But after an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest stands strong even without a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has rendered the local kids on edge. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. Yet the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, however the lead actress succeeds to show the character in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to discover a double agent inside the organization from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Each performer 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 participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
