Top Small Screen Selections: 7 Must-Watch Films In the Days Ahead
Top Selection
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's bold satire examines the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the feared consequences of growing older. Demi Moore delivers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to presenting a fitness program on the small screen. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying process known as "The Substance". This creates a new version of herself called Sue, culminating in a progressively toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This suspenseful story stars Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from writing about world issues to embark on a high-end voyage with a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and donor, her husband, as well as other filthy rich individuals. But after an enigmatic female goes overboard one night and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence
Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills in this clever supernatural story captured wholly from the viewpoint of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears protective of her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom in this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the CIA to investigate the alleged criminal, his unconventional method is put to the test. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror remains effective even without a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the children on edge. After Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he fears a fatal end. But the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who states early on, asserting religious justification for riches. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain succeeds to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. October 14th, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker presents a spy mystery as sharp like the turtlenecks sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a mole among the team from a group of five – among them is his spouse. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema