Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying process called "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller includes Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from reporting on global conflict to join a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this clever ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has made the local kids anxious. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a mole within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
