Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire tackles the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to hosting a workout series on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in a steadily more vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to embark on a high-end voyage with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional affluent individuals. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the youth frightened. Once Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. But the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor plays the venal Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though the lead actress succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom 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 smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
