A future cult classic movie is airing on TV tonight

While it did not fare well at the box office, the film has garnered a devoted legion of fans.

Set during the decadent days of early Hollywood, the film centres around Manny Torres (Diego Calva, Bird Box Barcelona), a Mexican immigrant who dreams of making it in Tinseltown and, as such, works his way up through the behind-the-scenes part of the business.

During this time, he meets several characters - movie star Jack Conrad (Oscar-winner Brad Pitt, F1), aspiring actress Nellie La Roy (Margot Robbie, Barbie), jazz trumpeter Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo, Overlord) and cabaret-singer Lady Fay Zhu (Li Jun Li, Sinners) - with the story chronicling Manny and these other characters' rise and fall.

Babylon's efforts to capture the hedonism of the era caused a slight bit of controversy upon release, with the movie in Ireland being handed a rare 18 rating.

This emphasis on depicting drug use and sex, along with the film's whopping 189-minute running time, was no doubt a factor in its divided reception - with the movie appearing to earn both scorn and praise from critics in equal measure. Indeed, it currently holds a 57% Rotten Tomatoes score.

That said, elements of the film were also singled out for praise. These include the scenes detailing how older films were made, Chazelle's vivid and immersive direction, Justin Hurwitz's energetic and Oscar-nominated score, Robbie's fearless performance, and Tobey Maguire's memorable supporting turn as a menacing gangster to whom Manny and Nellie wind up in debt.

Despite earning three Oscar nominations, Babylon only grossed $64.9 million at the box office on a reported $78-80 million budget.

In the years since its release, however, the movie has grown to be seen as a new cult classic in some quarters.

The movie is on TV tonight on Film4 at 10.55pm. It will also be available to stream via Channel 4's website on Thursday, 18 September.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

Crimson Tide - ITV4 - 9pm

The awesome '90s submarine thriller that sees Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman facing off.

Haywire - Legend Xtra - 9pm

Steven Soderbergh (Contagion, Ocean's 11) directs this great action thriller with an all-star cast that was mostly shot in Ireland.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande - Film4 - 9pm

This well-liked comedy drama explores the relationship between a retired school teacher (Emma Thompson) and a young sex worker (Ireland’s Daryl McCormack).

D.O.A. - Legend - 9pm

A 1988 neo-noir thriller starring Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan and Charlotte Rampling.

Gods of Egypt - Sky Max - 9pm

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

Mr Bean's Holiday - Comedy Central - 10pm

Rowan Atkinson's iconic comedic creation's second big screen outing.

Drive Hard - Legend Xtra - 10.55pm

In this direct-to-video action buddy flick, a professional thief (John Cusack) takes a former race car driver (Thomas Jane) hostage and forces him to drive his getaway car.

Drive Angry - Legend - 11pm

This fun thriller stars Nicolas Cage as a man named John Milton, who escapes from Hell with Satan’s gun, the Godkiller, to hunt down the cult leader who murdered his daughter and kidnapped her baby.