Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit story includes Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about international wars to embark on an opulent ship alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, and other extremely wealthy passengers. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director tests his film-making abilities through this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a continuation. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the youth anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. However, the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to show the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
