Prime Television Choices: Seven Essential Films This Week
Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's daring satire tackles the tyranny of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a brilliant performance playing Elisabeth, an aging actress reduced to starring in an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes a mysterious and horrifying process called "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to an increasingly toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes some time off from writing about world issues to board a luxury cruise alongside an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional filthy rich passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities through this clever ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of sensing the supernatural presence, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He acts as a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, his unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror holds up well even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple disappearances has rendered the youth frightened. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. But the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic of the disgraced TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye with compassion. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission to discover a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is his spouse. Both actors excel of calm composure, leading to a delightful mind game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere