Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's bold critique tackles the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into starring in a workout series on television. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a secretive and gruesome procedure titled this experimental method. This produces a younger clone called Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for some time off from covering global conflict to board a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other filthy rich guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities in this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he anticipates the worst. But the old telephone in the room continues to ring, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals commence profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, though the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This week's another release from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars sported by the actor's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast participate the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
