Prime Television Choices: 7 Can't-Miss Movies This Coming Week
Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's daring critique examines the tyranny of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of advancing years. Demi Moore presents an inspired acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity demoted to presenting an aerobics show on television. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome treatment called this experimental method. This creates a younger clone called Sue, resulting in an increasingly toxic connection between them. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful thriller stars Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about international wars to join a luxury cruise with a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her partner, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once an unknown lady goes overboard one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this innovative supernatural story captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He acts as an egotistical film star called Nicolas Cage who accepts a $1m payday to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, his unconventional method proves useful. October 11th, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest remains effective even without a sequel. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several child abductions has rendered the youth on edge. After Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone mounted nearby repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators offering help, as the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky true story about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield acts as the corrupt Bakker, who declares early on, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple commence profiting from the American public's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, yet the lead actress manages to depict the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from the filmmaker is a espionage tale as sharp as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team from a group of five – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. This Friday, various showings, the Sky channel
