Prime Television Picks: 7 Essential Films This Coming Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's bold satire examines the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful performance playing Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure titled the Substance. This produces a younger clone called Sue, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller features the talented actress playing Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a break from writing about world issues to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, as well as other extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and everyone insists she wasn't real, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills with this nifty supernatural story filmed completely through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Set in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has left the youth anxious. After Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story about the fallen televangelist and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to present the character with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh presents a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. The two stars are experts of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
