Prime Small Screen Selections: 7 Can't-Miss Movies This Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching critique examines the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity demoted to hosting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying treatment titled "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from covering global conflict to board a high-end voyage accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, and other filthy rich guests. But after an enigmatic female disappears from the ship during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, on Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills in this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely from the viewpoint of the phantom. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the camera – as the unseen entity – tracks their movements. Chloe seems aware of the poltergeist, and it seems protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He acts as an egotistical celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a $1m payday to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, evening, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest holds up well without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several disappearances has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. An effective horror. This Saturday, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for Mammon in this director's delightfully tacky biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple begin profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, bad makeup and bad faith, though Chastain achieves to present the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's second offering by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks sported by Michael Fassbender's British agent. His assignment is to identify a traitor inside the organization from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Both actors excel of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of truth or lie takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
