Finest TV Choices: Seven Must-Watch Movies This Week
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the perceived horrors of growing older. Demi Moore presents an inspired portrayal as Elisabeth, a mature film star reduced to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Edged out due to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and terrifying process known as the Substance. This creates a new version of herself named Sue, resulting in a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit mystery stars the talented actress playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from writing about world issues to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her spouse, and other affluent individuals. But after an unknown lady falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his directorial skills through this nifty ghostly tale filmed completely from the perspective of the phantom. As a family including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor fully commits to his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who accepts a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event at a Mediterranean location for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to investigate the suspected cartel boss, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. This Saturday, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Scott Derrickson's locked-room horror holds up well even without a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has left the local kids on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he dreads a fatal end. However, the disconnected phone on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about profiting from the people's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, however the lead actress manages to show Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, 1.15am, the Film4 channel
Black Bag
This week's additional entry from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to identify a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – among them is his spouse. The two stars are experts of calm composure, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty unfolds. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
