Finest TV Choices: Seven Can't-Miss Motion Pictures This Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the tyranny of female beauty and the perceived horrors of advancing years. The veteran actress presents an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into presenting an aerobics show on television. Pushed out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying process called this experimental method. This produces a youthful duplicate called Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from covering international wars to board a high-end voyage accompanied by a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. But after an unknown lady goes overboard one night and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his unique fame via this self-referential adventure. He acts as a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
Derrickson's locked-room horror stands strong even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of kidnappings has rendered the youth on edge. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and imprisoned in a cellar, he fears a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone in the room repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about capitalizing on the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Chastain achieves to depict the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – one of whom is his own wife. Each performer are masters of understated style, so a delicious mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
