Finest Small Screen Picks: Seven Essential Films This Coming Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring satire tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying procedure called "The Substance". This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from writing about global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and everyone insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to investigate the potential kingpin, his unique performing skills is put to the test. October 11th, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has left the local kids on edge. After Finney is taken by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, late evening, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the battle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet the lead actress succeeds to depict the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. The two stars are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema