Prime Television Picks: Seven Must-Watch Motion Pictures This Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics as well as the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging film star reduced to hosting a workout series on the small screen. Edged out due to her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out a secretive and terrifying treatment called "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate named Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Knightley as Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for a hiatus from covering international wars to board a luxury cruise with an ailing Scandinavian billionaire and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other affluent guests. However when a mysterious woman falls into the sea during the evening and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his directorial skills through this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. Chloe seems aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems guarding her. But why? It's a fun idea that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He acts as a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a festive event on the Spanish island for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, evening, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well without requiring a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has made the local kids anxious. After Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who declares initially, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple set about capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Chastain achieves to depict the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars used by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He is tasked with uncovering a mole inside the organization from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are experts of calm composure, leading to a delightful psychological game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
