Top Small Screen Choices: 7 Essential Movies This Coming Week
Top Selection
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to hosting an aerobics show on the small screen. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome procedure called this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story includes the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering world issues to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, and other extremely wealthy passengers. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage embraces his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed film star called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the CIA to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the children on edge. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however Chastain manages to depict the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his own wife. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
