Prime Television Picks: Seven Must-Watch Films This Week

Pick of the Week

This Satirical Thriller

Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of female beauty along with the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress offers a masterful portrayal as Elisabeth, an aging actress demoted to starring in a fitness program on television. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior her manager Harvey, she turns to a mysterious and horrifying treatment known as the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. Friday 17 October, the streaming service Paramount+

This Mystery Thriller

This suspenseful mystery features Keira Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to board a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, and other affluent passengers. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, Netflix

Presence Film

Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries through this nifty ghostly tale shot entirely from the perspective of the spirit. When a household featuring mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the ghostly being, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, multiple showings, Sky Cinema

This Self-Referential Film

Nicolas Cage embraces his unique fame via this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to visit a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by the intelligence agency to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” proves useful. Saturday 11 October, prime time, Channel 4

The Black Phone

The director's claustrophobic thriller stands strong despite the lack of a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has left the youth anxious. When Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and locked up in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. But the old telephone in the room repeatedly calls, with spooky callers offering help, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen may be his salvation. An effective horror. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, on Film4

This Dramatic Portrait

In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in Michael Showalter's wonderfully garish biopic about the fallen TV preacher plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however the lead actress achieves to show Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4

Black Bag

This period's additional entry by the same director delivers a intelligence thriller as precise similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's intelligence officer. He receives a mission to discover a double agent among the team from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are experts of calm composure, resulting in an engaging psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. Additional actors join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, multiple time slots, the Sky channel