Top TV Picks: Seven Essential Motion Pictures This Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress delivers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to hosting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This produces a younger clone called Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from reporting on world issues to embark on a high-end voyage accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, as well as other affluent passengers. However when an enigmatic female goes overboard overnight and everyone denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has made the youth frightened. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with spooky callers providing assistance, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Chastain manages to present the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks worn by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a mole inside the organization from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
