Top Television Choices: Seven Must-Watch Films This Week

Highlighted Choice

The Substance

Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire examines the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature film star forced into starring in an aerobics show on TV. Forced aside due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and horrifying procedure known as "The Substance". This generates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in an increasingly vampiric relationship between the two. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+

This Mystery Thriller

This suspenseful thriller stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a break from writing about global conflict to embark on an opulent ship with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea during the evening and everyone denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix

Presence

The acclaimed director pushes his directorial skills in this innovative ghostly tale shot entirely through the eyes of the spirit. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and the entity appears defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that remains concise, including a revelation that may be unexpected. 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 plays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a lucrative offer to appear at a festive event in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by the intelligence agency to investigate the alleged criminal, Cage's unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, the Channel 4 network

The Black Phone

The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong without requiring a sequel. Set in the late 70s in Denver, several kidnappings has made the local kids anxious. Once Finney gets captured by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby continues to ring, with eerie communicators offering help, while the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4

The Tammy Faye Biopic

In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top film adaptation regarding the shamed televangelist and her felon spouse. The actor acts as the greedy Jim, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence monetising the American public's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, yet Chastain achieves to present the character in a likable light. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4

The Spy Mystery

This week's another release by the same director presents a spy mystery as precise as the polo necks sported by the actor's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a traitor among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. Each performer are experts of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema