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Pick of the Week

The Substance

Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star demoted to hosting a workout series on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and gruesome process called this experimental method. This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+

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This Mystery Thriller

This Agatha Christie-esque thriller includes the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a break from covering global conflict to embark on a high-end voyage with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, and other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform

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Presence Film

Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel

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This Self-Referential Film

Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He acts as a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his unique performing skills is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4

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This Creepy Thriller

Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has made the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel

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This Dramatic Portrait

In the battle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence capitalizing on the American public's spiritual convictions. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, however the lead actress achieves to depict the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel

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This Espionage Thriller

The current week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to identify a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel