Directed by one of the action movie kings, it’s basically a cross between Heat and Speed.
Our TV movie pick for Christmas Eve is Ambulance, one of the best action movies of the decade so far.
Directed by action filmmaking legend Michael Bay (Bad Boys, The Rock), it stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Matrix Resurrections). He plays Will, a former U.S. Marine and Afghanistan veteran living in Los Angeles in desperate need of thousands of dollars to pay for surgery for his wife (Moses Ingram).
As such, he goes to his adoptive brother and longtime criminal, Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal, Road House), to ask for money, who winds up talking Will into participating in a massive bank heist.
The robbery winds up going sideways, however, and the brothers get caught in a shootout with police.
In order to flee from the scene, the pair hijack an ambulance – taking a young EMT paramedic (Eiza González) and an injured cop (Jackson White) hostage.
The majority of the movie is the resulting car chase, with Danny and Will trying desperately to evade the LAPD (fronted by Garret Dillahunt) and the FBI (led by Keir O’Donnell) on their tail.
Essentially a cross between Heat and Speed, Ambulance was released in Irish cinemas back in 2022 to quite positive reviews.
Ranking as Michael Bay’s best-reviewed directorial effort on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie earned praise for its high-concept premise, its near nonstop action, its great performances and its humour.
Ambulance airs on TV tonight on Film4 at 9pm. It should also be available to stream on Channel 4’s website after it airs.
You can also check out JOE’s interview with Abdul-Mateen and Gyllenhaal right here:
Here are the other movies on TV tonight:
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Comedy Central – 9pm
A thief trying to make it as an actor (Robert Downey Jr) and a private investigator (Val Kilmer) investigate a Hollywood mystery during the festive season.
A wickedly funny crime-comedy, this would make for great alternative Christmas viewing.
Skyfall – RTÉ2 – 9pm
‘Skyfall is where we start / A thousand miles and poles apart.’
Venom – E4 – 9pm
The flawed but entertaining superhero flick starring Tom Hardy.
Striking Distance – Legend Xtra – 9pm
Bruce Willis plays a former homicide detective on the hunt for a serial killer in this watchable ’90s thriller.
LA Confidential / While She Was Out – Legend – 9pm / 11.40pm
It’s a Kim Basinger double bill.
Dirty Harry – ITV4 – 9.05pm
Clint Eastwood is a cop who plays by his own rules hunting a serial killer in this iconic action crime thriller that launched a franchise.
Love Actually – Sky Showcase – 9.15pm
Die Hard with a Vengeance – Virgin Media One – 9.30pm
The brilliant third Die Hard movie and the first one not set at Christmas.
Die Hard – TG4 – 10.05pm
The brilliant first Die Hard film that is set at Christmas.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone – BBC Two – 10.15pm
Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke stars in this 30-minute new ghost story from writer-director Mark Gatiss (Sherlock).
Beetlejuice – BBC Two – 10.45pm
With its long-awaited sequel finally having been released this year, it’s a perfect time to revisit Tim Burton’s classic comedy horror.
Await Further Instructions – Legend Xtra – 11pm
In this creepy British horror, a family wakes up on Christmas Day to find a mysterious black substance surrounding their house while their TV screen broadcasts a single message: “Stay indoors and await further instructions.”
The Night Before – Comedy Central – 11.05pm
In this funny festive comedy, three lifelong friends (Anthony Mackie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen) spend the night in New York City on Christmas Eve looking for the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.
Renegades – ITV4 – 11.10pm
An ’80s action crime flick with Kiefer Sutherland and Lou Diamond Philips.
American Pie 2 – E4 – 11.15pm
The sequel to the famously raunchy comedy.
Mamma Mia – RTÉ2 – 11.40pm
The smash hit musical rom-com based around Abba songs.
Little Monsters – Film4 – 11.45pm
Lupita Nyong’o stars in this hilarious horror comedy as a kindergarten teacher trying to protect a group of young schoolchildren during a sudden zombie outbreak.
Read more:
- A brilliant hidden gem crime thriller movie is on TV tonight
- Jack Black and Paul Rudd to star in reboot of ’90s action thriller cult classic
- Best Christmas movie of recent years quietly streaming on Netflix
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
