Prime Small Screen Choices: Seven Can't-Miss Motion Pictures This Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the demanding standards for female beauty and the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful acting turn as Elisabeth, an aging celebrity forced into hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and horrifying process titled the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story includes the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes some time off from reporting on global conflict to join an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, plus additional affluent individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this self-referential adventure. He portrays an egotistical Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in 1978 Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the children frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about capitalizing on the people's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
