Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's bold commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress presents a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This generates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a steadily more toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from reporting on world issues to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional affluent passengers. Yet once an unknown lady falls into the sea one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his unique fame in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children on edge. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he fears a fatal end. However, the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though the lead actress manages to show the real-life figure with compassion. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
