Finest Small Screen Selections: Seven Essential Films This Week
Top Selection
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of ageing. Demi Moore delivers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying process called the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery features Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, as well as other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills in this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical celebrity playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror holds up well even without a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has made the children frightened. After Finney is kidnapped by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. But the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims initially, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to present Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks used by Michael Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – among them is his own wife. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema
