Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary examines the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to starring in an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from writing about international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty supernatural story shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage embraces his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has left the youth frightened. When Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry by the same director presents a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
