Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the tyranny of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to hosting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a secretive and terrifying process known as the Substance. This produces a younger clone named Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to embark on an opulent ship with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent guests. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries in this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has rendered the local kids anxious. Once Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though the lead actress succeeds to present the character in a likable light. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast take part the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
