Prime Small Screen Selections: Seven Must-Watch Films This Week
Top Selection
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold critique tackles the demanding standards for women's appearance and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside by her deceitful superior Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful mystery includes Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to embark on a high-end voyage with a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, as well as other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this clever supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his unique fame through this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration on the Spanish island for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the children anxious. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. However, the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress manages to present the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars worn by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
