Prime Small Screen Picks: 7 Essential Films This Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying treatment called this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to an increasingly toxic connection between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes some time off from writing about global conflict to embark on an opulent ship with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, as well as other filthy rich passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Recruited by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has rendered the youth anxious. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. However, the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain manages to present the character as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a espionage tale as sharp similar to the collars used by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked with uncovering a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. The two stars are masters of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
