Finest Television Picks: 7 Essential Movies This Coming Week
Top Selection
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Forced aside thanks to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and gruesome process known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a hiatus from writing about international wars to board a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, plus additional affluent individuals. However when an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He plays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to visit a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the children frightened. After Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor plays the venal Jim, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, however the lead actress achieves to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to discover a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. Each performer are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast take part the smart espionage amusement. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere