Finest Small Screen Picks: Seven Must-Watch Films This Coming Week
Top Selection
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress presents a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting a workout series on television. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying process called the Substance. This produces a younger clone named Sue, leading to an increasingly toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a hiatus from reporting on global conflict to board a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, as well as other affluent guests. But after a mysterious woman falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
The acclaimed director challenges his film-making abilities in this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom via this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has made the youth frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals set about profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a mole within their ranks from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere