Prime Small Screen Picks: 7 Must-Watch Motion Pictures This Week
Top Selection
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring critique addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the feared consequences of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into starring in an aerobics show on television. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying treatment called the Substance. This generates a younger clone named Sue, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take a hiatus from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her partner, and other extremely wealthy passengers. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this innovative supernatural story shot entirely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the camera – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the potential kingpin, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has rendered the youth frightened. When Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a basement, he fears a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, asserting religious justification for riches. Both individuals begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, bad makeup and insincerity, though the lead actress manages to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's additional entry by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as precise as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. His assignment is to discover a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – including is his spouse. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel