Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on television. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure called the Substance. This creates a new version of herself called Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller includes the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from writing about world issues to board a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, and other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, his unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, evening, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has rendered the children on edge. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks used by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole among the team from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
