Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's unflinching critique addresses the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Demi Moore offers a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying process called this experimental method. This creates a younger clone named Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a break from covering international wars to join an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent passengers. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director challenges his directorial skills through this clever ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this autobiographical spoof. He plays an egotistical film star playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the CIA to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a continuation. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple disappearances has left the children on edge. Once Finney is kidnapped by the villain and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who declares initially, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about capitalizing on the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere