Prime Television Picks: 7 Essential Motion Pictures This Week

Pick of the Week

The Substance Film

The filmmaker's bold commentary examines the oppressive nature of female beauty and the feared consequences of growing older. The veteran actress offers an inspired portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into hosting a workout series on television. Pushed out thanks to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This creates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a steadily more toxic connection between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus

The Woman in Cabin 10

This suspenseful story features the talented actress as Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from reporting on world issues to join an opulent ship with a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and all passengers claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity take over. Out now, the Netflix platform

Presence Film

Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities through this innovative paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears aware of the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Nicolas Cage fully commits to his cult stardom through this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic film star named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to attend a festive event in Mallorca for billionaire superfan Javi. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4

The Black Phone

Derrickson's contained scarefest remains effective despite the lack of a continuation. Located in 1978 Denver, several disappearances has left the youth frightened. Once Finney gets captured by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads the worst. However, the old telephone on the wall keeps ringing, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, Film4

The Tammy Faye Biopic

In the conflict between faith and wealth, the victory is clear for greed in this director's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation about the fallen religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple set about monetising the people's Christian beliefs. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4

This Espionage Thriller

This week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a intelligence thriller as precise like the turtlenecks used by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. The two stars excel of understated style, so a delicious mind game of deception or honesty develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema