Top Small Screen Picks: 7 Essential Films This Coming Week
Pick of the Week
This Satirical Thriller
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty along with the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress offers a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to presenting an aerobics show on the small screen. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she turns to a secretive and gruesome procedure known as this experimental method. This creates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery includes Keira Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from covering global conflict to board a luxury cruise accompanied by a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, and other affluent guests. Yet once a mysterious woman falls into the sea one night and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities through this clever supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe occupies their recent residence, the filming device – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears conscious of the supernatural presence, and the entity appears defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unique performing skills proves useful. October 11th, evening, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's locked-room horror stands strong despite the lack of a continuation. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, several kidnappings has made the local kids frightened. Once Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with eerie communicators offering help, and the intuitive nightmares of his sister Gwen could save him. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
In the conflict between God and Mammon, it's a knockout win for materialism in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals set about monetising the people's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, late night, on Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a espionage tale as precise as the polo necks sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a mole within their ranks out of five possibilities – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of calm composure, resulting in an engaging mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. The supporting cast participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, various showings, the Sky channel