Top TV Choices: 7 Essential Motion Pictures This Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire addresses the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to hosting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment known as the Substance. This generates a younger clone called Sue, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful thriller stars Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from covering world issues to board an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her partner, and other filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills in this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image through this self-referential adventure. He portrays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a $1m payday to visit a birthday party on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unique performing skills proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has rendered the children frightened. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, and the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the greedy Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, yet the lead actress succeeds to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's additional entry from the filmmaker is a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars used by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked to discover a mole among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. Each performer are masters of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema