Finest TV Selections: Seven Essential Movies This Week
Top Selection
This Satirical Thriller
The filmmaker's daring commentary addresses the demanding standards for female beauty along with the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into hosting a fitness program on television. Edged out by her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to an enigmatic and terrifying process called "The Substance". This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a steadily more toxic connection between the two. This Friday, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Knightley as Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a break from reporting on world issues to join an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, and other filthy rich guests. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh tests his creative boundaries in this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like guarding her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unconventional method proves useful. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller remains effective even without a continuation. Located in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has rendered the local kids on edge. When Finney gets captured by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. But the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with ghostly voices offering help, as the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. A solid creepfest. October 11th, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the struggle between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story of the disgraced TV preacher and her felon spouse. Andrew Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the American public's religious faith. It's a riot of tacky decor, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet the lead actress succeeds to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks worn by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a traitor within their ranks from five suspects – including is his own wife. The two stars are experts of understated style, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction unfolds. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, the Sky channel
