Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress presents a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to hosting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying process titled "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from writing about global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Out now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the supernatural presence, and it seems defensive toward 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. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has made the children on edge. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
