Finest TV Selections: 7 Essential Movies This Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty and the perceived horrors of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on television. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying treatment known as this experimental method. This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful mystery includes Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from reporting on international wars to join a high-end voyage alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, and other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image via this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has made the youth on edge. After Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple begin capitalizing on the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, though the lead actress achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks used by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a mole within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
