Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to starring in a workout series on TV. Pushed out by her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Keira Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about international wars to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this nifty supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of kidnappings has rendered the youth anxious. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. But the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor plays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, early morning, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This week's second offering by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – including is his spouse. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
