Top Television Picks: 7 Must-Watch Films This Coming Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique tackles the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a brilliant portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Forced aside due to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and terrifying process titled "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery features the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to embark on an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this innovative paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has left the youth frightened. After Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however the lead actress succeeds to present the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a double agent among the team from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are masters of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere