Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's bold satire examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress forced into presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome treatment called "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story features the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from writing about world issues to embark on a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a basement, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares early on, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, though Chastain succeeds to present the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's another release by the same director presents a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks used by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema