Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's bold critique addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress reduced to presenting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as this experimental method. This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from covering global conflict to embark on a luxury cruise alongside an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, as well as other affluent individuals. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of child abductions has made the local kids frightened. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, yet the lead actress succeeds to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a traitor inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
