Prime Television Picks: 7 Essential Films This Week
Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Coralie Fargeat's bold commentary tackles the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and terrifying treatment titled the Substance. This generates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story includes the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to embark on an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her husband, and other extremely wealthy passengers. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills with this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their new suburban house, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the rich superfan Javi. Contacted by the CIA to spy on the potential kingpin, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror remains effective without requiring a sequel. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of child abductions has made the children anxious. When Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor portrays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and bad faith, however Chastain succeeds to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4
Black Bag
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh is a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent among the team from five suspects – among them is his spouse. Each performer are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
