Freeze Frame: “His Three Daughters” (R), “The Substance” (R), “Transformers One” (PG)

Three strong performances provide a solid foundation for the Netflix drama, “His Three Daughters.” Carrie Coogan, Natasha Leone and Elizabeth Olsen play disconnected sisters who gather together as their father goes into hospice. They alternately avoid one another or come into conflict. While the constant bickering can sometimes become exhausting, “His Three Daughters” is a heartfelt and empathetic character study that manages to avoid saccharine elements and ring true.

The endless pursuit of youth and beauty is at the heart of the dark and revolting sci-fi horror thriller “The Substance.” Demi Moore plays a fading celebrity who uses an illegal drug to transform into a younger, better version of herself, played by Margaret Qualley. But watch out for those side effects! French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat slyly invites the audience to ogle the beautiful bodies on screen only to pull the rug out from under viewers with grotesque body horror. The humor and grisly elements are way over the top and self-indulgent. “The Substance” may be skillfully repulsive, but it’s still repulsive.

You don’t need to know anything about Hasbro’s “Transformers” to enjoy the creative animated origin story, “Transformers One.” Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson move over from the Marvel universe to provide voices in the story of humble robot miners and best friends who later became mortal enemies, Optimus Prime and Megatron. The pals work together to free their fellow citizens of the planet Cybertron from a corrupt dictator. Action packed and often funny and better than it has any business being, “Transformers One” should appeal to fans and newbies alike.

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