Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment titled the Substance. This generates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from writing about global conflict to join a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities through this innovative supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of child abductions has made the local kids on edge. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain achieves to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a double agent among the team from a group of five – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors participate the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
