A brilliant Irish thriller movie is airing on TV tonight

The film comes from the same director as the German historical drama Downfall.

Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (German historical drama Downfall) and written by Guy Hibbert (Omagh), the film is loosely based on real events.

"In 1970s Northern Ireland, young Joe Griffin watches in horror as the teenage leader of a UVF cell shoots Joe's brother dead," the plot synopsis reads.

"30 years later, peace is at hand, and Joe (Nesbitt) is to meet his brother's killer, Alistair Little (Neeson), on live TV.

"Unbeknownst to the TV crew, Joe is not there to reconcile with Alistair, but to kill him."

A tense and powerful story and also a showcase for two of Northern Ireland's best actors to go toe-to-toe with each other, Five Minutes of Heaven is essential viewing.

The film is airing on TV tonight/tomorrow morning at 12.40am on RTÉ2.

As such, we'd recommend recording it or watching it on the RTÉ Player later.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

Ad Astra - Film4 - 9pm

Brad Pitt plays a sad astronaut who travels to the edge of the solar system in order to both save the world and work out unresolved familial trauma in this gorgeous, meditative sci-fi.

Why Him? - Comedy Central - 9pm

In this comedy, a father (Bryan Cranston) tries to stop his daughter’s immature tech-millionaire boyfriend (James Franco) from asking her to marry him.

The Way of the Gun - Legend - 9pm

Ryan Phillippe and Benicio del Toro star in this 2000 crime thriller that was the directorial debut of Christopher McQuarrie (the last few Mission: Impossibles).

Night Hunter - Legend Xtra - 9pm

Henry Cavill plays a detective hunting a serial killer in this action thriller that did not get good reviews.

Jason Bourne - Sky Showcase - 9.20pm

The fifth and final to date entry in Matt Damon's Bourne action franchise.

Saving Private Ryan - RTÉ2 - 9.35pm

The greatest war film of all time, according to a recent poll.

Flags of Our Fathers - TG4 - 9.50pm

Another Oscar-nominated WWII drama, except this time from director Clint Eastwood.

The Contractor - Channel 4 - 10pm

Chris Pine headlines this action thriller about a former soldier who lands a contract with a private military, only for things to go south during his first mission with them.

Alien 3 - ITV4 - 10.30pm

Director David Fincher's divisive Alien sequel.

Compartment No.6 - BBC Four - 10.45pm

The acclaimed 2021 Finnish road drama movie starring recent Oscar-nominee Yura Borisov (Anora).

A Quiet Place - Film4 - 11.20pm

This brilliant horror thriller that launched a franchise is set in a world invaded by blind creatures that hunt via sound.

Just Mercy - BBC One - 11.55pm

The well-reviewed 2019 legal drama starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson.

Read more:

• Love/Hate star on rumours of show comeback and ‘incredible’ new Game of Thrones spin-off
• Kneecap on the chances of a movie sequel: ‘If the money is right’