Top Small Screen Choices: Seven Can't-Miss Films This Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching commentary examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying process called "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about global conflict to embark on an opulent ship with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, and other filthy rich guests. However when an unknown lady falls into the sea overnight and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director pushes his creative boundaries in this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. Yet the old telephone on the wall repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for greed in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who states initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and hypocrisy, however the lead actress achieves to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by the actor's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to identify a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
