Top Television Picks: Seven Essential Movies This Week

Top Selection

This Satirical Thriller

The filmmaker's bold commentary addresses the tyranny of women's appearance and the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress delivers an inspired performance as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to hosting a fitness program on TV. Edged out thanks to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome procedure titled the Substance. This creates a youthful duplicate called Sue, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount+

This Mystery Thriller

This suspenseful mystery features the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from covering world issues to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her spouse, and other filthy rich passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female falls into the sea overnight and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, the Netflix platform

Presence

Steven Soderbergh challenges his directorial skills through this innovative paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the filming device – AKA the Presence – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it looks like protective of her. But why? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that may be unexpected. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4

The Black Phone Horror

The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a continuation. Located in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has left the children frightened. Once Finney is taken by the kidnapper and held captive in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. However, the disconnected phone on the wall continues to ring, with spooky callers giving advice, while the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, 10.50pm, Film4

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

In the conflict between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for greed in this director's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states early on, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin monetising the nation's Christian beliefs. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and hypocrisy, though Jessica Chastain succeeds to present Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, 1.15am, Film4

This Espionage Thriller

This period's additional entry by the same director presents a spy mystery as tight similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a double agent among the team from a group of five – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer are masters of understated style, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel