A ‘dangerously cool’ 2024 thriller movie is on TV tonight

The film stars an acting legend from the John Wick franchise.

The story centres around Wilson (McShane), an ageing assassin on a final assignment in Fuerteventura, Spain, to kill a man he has never met.

His target's absence, however, leads him to a tranquil vacation, where he befriends Gloria (Nora Arnezeder, Army of the Dead), a bartender, and forms unexpected connections with the island's residents.

"As Wilson lets his guard down, the inevitable return to his profession disrupts the peaceful interlude," the plot synopsis adds.

Directed by B-movie maestro Gonzalo López-Gallego (Apollo 18, Open Grave), the cast of American Star also includes Adam Nagaitis (The Agency), Fanny Ardant (Nathalie...), and Thomas Kretschmann (Infinity Pool).

Though it only got a limited cinema release, the movie earned very positive reviews, garnering praise for its lead performance by McShane, its scenic setting, its slow-burn thrills, and its existential and melancholic tone.

The film was described as "effortlessly sophisticated and dangerously cool" by Punch Drunk Critics, while FilmAuthority.com called it "a classic existential thriller powered by an iconic star".

American Star is on TV tonight on Film4 at 9pm. It will also be available to stream on Channel 4's website after it airs.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

Jerry Maguire - Comedy Central - 9pm

Tom Cruise is brilliant in this extremely quotable romantic comedy drama about a smarmy sports agent who has a crisis of conscience.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure - Sky Comedy - 9pm

The classic time travel comedy starring Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves.

Gods of Egypt - Legend - 9pm

The critically panned fantasy action flick starring Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Maximum Risk - Legend Xtra - 9pm

While seeking answers regarding the death of the twin brother he never knew he had, a French cop (Jean-Claude Van Damme) and his sibling’s fiancée (Natasha Henstridge) find themselves pursued by corrupt FBI agents and the Russian mafia.

The New Boy - BBC Two - 11.05pm

Cate Blanchett plays a "renegade nun" in this well-liked Australian drama.

Desperado - Legend Xtra - 11.05pm

Antonio Banderas stars in this incredible neo-Western as an enigmatic man in Mexico seeking revenge on the drug lord who killed his lover.

Sexy Beast - Film4 - 11.10pm

An all-time classic crime thriller that also stars Ian McShane.

Blinded by the Light - BBC One - 11.10pm

This heart-warming comedy-drama tells the story of a British-Pakistani Muslim teenager (Viveik Kalra) in 1980s Britain whose life is changed forever after he discovers the music of Bruce Springsteen.

Pathfinder - Legend - 11.35pm

Karl Urban stars in this poorly reviewed historical action flick about Vikings in America.