Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's unflinching commentary tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of ageing. The veteran actress presents an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome procedure titled the Substance. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a break from writing about global conflict to board an opulent ship with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional filthy rich guests. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills with this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who accepts a million-dollar gig to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and locked up in a basement, he fears a fatal end. But the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain succeeds to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to discover a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors take part the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
