Top Television Picks: Seven Must-Watch Films In the Days Ahead
Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring commentary tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into presenting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she turns to a secretive and horrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller stars Keira Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from writing about world issues to board an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her partner, as well as other filthy rich individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – shadows their actions. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a million-dollar gig to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong even without a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of kidnappings has made the local kids frightened. Once Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation of the disgraced televangelist and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, overdone appearance and bad faith, yet the lead actress achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release by the same director delivers a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a double agent within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
