🔗 Share this article

Pick of the Week

The Substance Film

Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+

---

This Mystery Thriller

This classic whodunit mystery includes Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about international wars to embark on an opulent ship with a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, as well as other filthy rich guests. Yet once an unknown lady disappears from the ship one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, Netflix

---

Presence Film

Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel

---

This Self-Referential Film

Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network

---

The Black Phone

The director's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a continuation. Set in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has made the local kids anxious. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he dreads the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel

---

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4

---

The Spy Mystery

This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to identify a mole within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere