Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This creates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from covering international wars to join an opulent ship with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills kick in. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This week's another release by the same director presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – including is his own wife. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
