Top Television Choices: 7 Essential Movies This Week
Top Selection
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching critique tackles the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of advancing years. Demi Moore presents a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to starring in a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome procedure known as the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This classic whodunit story stars Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take a hiatus from writing about world issues to board a high-end voyage with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her spouse, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female goes overboard during the evening and all passengers insists she wasn't real, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence Film
The acclaimed director pushes his film-making abilities with this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and the entity appears guarding her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicolas Cage embraces his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic Hollywood actor named Nicolas Cage who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party in Mallorca for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the CIA to gather intel on the potential kingpin, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone Horror
The director's contained scarefest holds up well even without a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the youth frightened. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and held captive in a cellar, he fears the worst. But the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators providing assistance, as the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who proclaims at the beginning, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye set about capitalizing on the people's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain manages to depict Tammy Faye in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as tight as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's British agent. He is tasked to identify a traitor among the team from a group of five – among them is his own wife. Both actors are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction develops. The supporting cast join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
