Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's daring satire addresses the demanding standards for women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into hosting a workout series on television. Forced aside by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a secretive and terrifying treatment called "The Substance". This generates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively toxic connection between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from writing about global conflict to board a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities in this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this meta comedy caper. He plays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple kidnappings has made the local kids on edge. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals set about monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, yet Jessica Chastain succeeds to show the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, early morning, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
