Finest Small Screen Choices: 7 Must-Watch Films This Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to hosting a workout series on television. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome process known as "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit thriller stars Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for some time off from covering international wars to board a high-end voyage alongside a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has made the local kids on edge. When Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he dreads the worst. Yet the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering by the same director is a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – among them is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. The supporting cast take part the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel