Top Television Picks: Seven Essential Movies This Coming Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore delivers an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging actress forced into presenting a workout series on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying treatment called the Substance. This creates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery includes the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a break from covering global conflict to join a high-end voyage with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other affluent individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his directorial skills through this nifty paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the camera – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. Chloe seems sensing the poltergeist, and it seems defensive toward her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor called Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has rendered the youth frightened. After Finney gets captured by the villain and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the disconnected phone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices offering help, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor plays the greedy Jim, who declares early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though the lead actress succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, early morning, on Film4
Black Bag
This period's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to discover a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – including is his spouse. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
