Top Small Screen Choices: Seven Essential Motion Pictures In the Days Ahead

Highlighted Choice

The Substance

Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire tackles the oppressive nature of women's appearance and the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers a masterful performance as Elisabeth, a mature film star demoted to hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out due to her unscrupulous employer Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome treatment called this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself portrayed by Margaret Qualley, leading to a progressively parasitic dynamic between the two. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus

The Woman in Cabin 10 Film

This Agatha Christie-esque story features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who decides to take some time off from reporting on international wars to board an opulent ship with an ailing wealthy inheritor and charitable figure, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. However when a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and all passengers claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix

This Supernatural Story

The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills in this clever paranormal narrative filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. When a household including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – follows them around. The daughter appears sensing the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that may be unexpected. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel

Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy

The iconic actor embraces his unique fame via this self-referential adventure. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity named Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to appear at a birthday party on the Spanish island for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unconventional method comes in handy. October 11th, prime time, Channel 4

The Black Phone Horror

Scott Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a follow-up. Set in 1978 Denver, a series of disappearances has rendered the local kids anxious. Once Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. However, the old telephone in the room keeps ringing, with ghostly voices giving advice, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, late evening, on Film4

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims at the beginning, asserting religious justification for riches. The couple begin monetising the nation's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of bad interior design, overdone appearance and insincerity, though Chastain manages to show the character as a sympathetic figure. Tuesday 14 October, early morning, on Film4

Black Bag

The current week's second offering by the same director is a intelligence thriller as tight as the polo necks sported by Fassbender's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole among the team from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere