On October 24, television schedules are anchored by a mix of visceral body horror and nostalgic franchise staples. Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance takes center stage on Tipik at 20:25, a film that, according to Moustique, marks a shift in French genre cinema.
Essential Viewing for October 24
- The Substance (Tipik, 20:25): A transgressive, high-octane critique of beauty standards featuring a performance from Demi Moore.
- Retour vers le futur 3 (RTL tvi, 20:20): The concluding chapter of Zemeckis’s trilogy, blending Western tropes with franchise heart.
- Le crime du 3e étage (Be1, 20:30): A comedy from director Rémi Bezançon.
- Shaun le mouton, le film: La ferme contre-attaque (France 4, 19:30): A whimsical, stop-motion tribute to sci-fi classics.
The Substance and the New Guard of French Genre
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance arrives on television screens tonight; it is a cultural litmus test. By casting Demi Moore in a role that confronts the reality of aging in a patriarchal society, Fargeat joins the ranks of Ducournau in redefining the aesthetic of French genre film. The work is described by Moustique as “vénéneux, excessif, transgressif” (venomous, excessive, transgressive), signaling a departure from traditional arthouse fare toward a more aggressive, body-conscious cinema.
This shift comes as traditional linear television faces an existential crisis. With audiences migrating toward on-demand platforms, the programming choice of a provocative, modern title like The Substance suggests a strategy to retain viewers.
Franchise Fatigue and the Legacy of Marty McFly
While The Substance pushes boundaries, RTL tvi is banking on the comfort of 1990s intellectual property with Retour vers le futur 3. Robert Zemeckis’s final installment of the trilogy remains a masterclass in IP management, effectively cross-pollinating genres by placing Marty McFly in an 1885 Far West setting. It serves as a reminder of an era when blockbuster trilogies were built on character chemistry—specifically the evolution of Doc Brown, who famously mused on the “great mystery of the universe: the Woman.”
The contrast between these two primetime offerings is stark. One represents the modern, auteur-driven “prestige horror” that has become a staple of global film festivals; the other represents the solidified, evergreen IP that continues to anchor legacy media ratings.
| Film Title | Primary Genre | Director | Key Talent |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Substance | Body Horror | Coralie Fargeat | Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley |
| Retour vers le futur 3 | Sci-Fi / Adventure | Robert Zemeckis | Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd |
| Le crime du 3e étage | Comedy / Police | Rémi Bezançon | Gilles Lellouche, Lætitia Casta |
| Shaun le mouton | Animation | Richard Phelan, Will Becher | N/A |
The Business of Broadcast in the Streaming Era
Broadcasters are currently forced to justify their existence against the growth of SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) platforms. The decision to air Le crime du 3e étage alongside genre pieces reflects a scheduling strategy.
For now, the strategy is to curate a night of high-quality, diverse cinema that mirrors the “curated feed” experience of a digital platform.
How are you choosing to spend your evening? Are you leaning into the visceral intensity of Fargeat’s latest, or is tonight a night for the nostalgic warmth of the Hill Valley timeline? Let me know your pick in the comments.
