Top Small Screen Picks: Seven Essential Films This Week

Top Selection

This Satirical Thriller

The filmmaker's bold commentary examines the tyranny of female beauty as well as the feared consequences of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful portrayal in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity reduced to presenting an aerobics show on TV. Edged out due to her slimy boss her manager Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and horrifying procedure known as this experimental method. This generates a youthful duplicate portrayed by Margaret Qualley, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount+

This Mystery Thriller

This Agatha Christie-esque mystery stars Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to join a luxury cruise accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent passengers. But after an unknown lady goes overboard during the evening and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Out now, the Netflix platform

This Supernatural Story

Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries through this clever paranormal narrative captured wholly through the eyes of the phantom. When a household with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe settles into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – follows them around. The teen shows signs of sensing the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. This Saturday, multiple showings, the Sky channel

This Self-Referential Film

Cage embraces his eccentric image via this autobiographical spoof. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a celebration at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network

The Black Phone

Scott Derrickson's contained scarefest stands strong without requiring a sequel. Located in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has made the local kids on edge. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a terrible outcome. Yet the non-functional line in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, late evening, Film4

The Tammy Faye Biopic

In the conflict between faith and wealth, it's a knockout win for Mammon in this director's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the greedy Jim, who states early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, however Jessica Chastain manages to depict the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, early morning, on Film4

Black Bag

This period's additional entry from the filmmaker is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks used by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is to identify a mole within their ranks from five suspects – one of whom is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel