Top Small Screen Choices: 7 Must-Watch Films This Week
Highlighted Choice
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's daring commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging film star forced into presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out by her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying process called the Substance. This produces a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take a break from covering world issues to board an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her spouse, and other extremely wealthy passengers. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities in this innovative supernatural story captured wholly from the perspective of a ghost. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unique performing skills is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest holds up well even without a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of child abductions has made the children frightened. After Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the disconnected phone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, yet the lead actress manages to show the character with compassion. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as sharp as the polo necks used by the actor's British agent. His assignment is with uncovering a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his spouse. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Additional actors participate the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel
