Starring Dexter actor Michael C. Hall, the film’s great cast and twisty screenplay make it well worth seeking out.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Saturday, 21 September) is Cold in July, a brilliant if underseen crime thriller gem from 2014.
Based on the novel of the same name by the acclaimed writer Joe R. Lansdale, the film centres around an ordinary Texas man named Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall, Dexter) who accidentally shoots an intruder in his home.
Already shaken by the experience, he is soon visited by the dead man’s father Ben Russell (Sam Shepard), who seeks revenge against Richard’s family.
Ben’s vengeful plan is complicated, however, when he realises there was more to the initial burglary than meets the eye and when a private detective (Don Johnson) shows up asking questions.
Co-starring Vinessa Shaw and Wyatt Russell, Cold in July was co-written and directed by Jim Mickle (Stake Land, Netflix’s Sweet Tooth).
And we’d urge fans of crime thrillers to seek it out thanks to its atmospheric Texas setting, its terrific trio of lead performances and its unpredictable, twisty story.
Holding an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score, Cold in July is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 9pm. It is also available to rent on Apple TV for just 99c.
Here are the other movies on TV tonight:
U-571 – RTÉ2 – 8.55pm
The hit World War II-set submarine thriller starring Matthew McConaughey.
The Last Stand – Film4 – 9pm
Arnold Schwarzenegger leads this 2013 action flick playing a tough small town sheriff who must stop a dangerous drug lord from escaping to Mexico in a modified sports car. Its probably his best late period movie to date.
The Night Before – Comedy Central – 9pm
In this funny 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.
No Mercy – Legend Xtra – 9pm
Richard Gere is a cop out for vengeance in this ’80s neo-noir, which also stars Kim Basinger.
We Bought a Zoo – TG4 – 9.05pm
Matt Damon buys a zoo.
The Last Duel – Channel 4 – 9.25pm
Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck star in this acclaimed medieval France-set historical thriller directed by Ridley Scott (Gladiator), which was partly shot in Ireland.
Star Trek Beyond – Sky Showcase – 9.25pm
The very fun third entry in the Chris Pine-led Star Trek film series.
Parallel Mothers / Pain and Glory – BBC Four – 10pm / 11.55pm
A double bill of two absolutely brilliant Oscar-nominated Spanish dramas directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Essential viewing for cinephiles.
The Hills Have Eyes 2 – MTV – 10pm
The very poorly received 2007 horror sequel.
Creed II – RTÉ One – 10.10pm
Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) return in this boxing sequel.
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life – ITV4 – 10.35pm
The 1983 cult sketch comedy film.
Motherhood – RTÉ2 – 11pm
A critically-panned comedy-drama with Uma Thurman.
Stake Land II – Legend Xtra – 11.05pm
The sequel to Cold in July director Jim Mickle’s excellent 2010 post-apocalyptic vampire flick Stake Land.
Jackass Forever – Film4 – 11.10pm
The fourth main instalment in the Jackass film series.
Renegades – Legend – 11.10pm
Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons is amongst the cast of this 2017 action film with a low 11% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Northern Soul – BBC Two – 11.45pm
This drama tells the story of two teenagers in ’70s England whose lives are changed forever by the discovery of African-American soul music and the dance culture that grew up around it in Britain.
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