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A tense Irish thriller movie is airing on TV tonight

Published 16:33 4 Sept 2026 BST

Updated 16:33 4 Sept 2026 BST

Stephen Porzio
A tense Irish thriller movie is airing on TV tonight

Homemovies & tv

'An indie flick that punches above its weight.'

Swing Bout, the 2024 Irish crime thriller movie, is airing on TV tonight (Friday, 4 September).

The film follows 'Terrible' Toni (Ciara Berkeley - Bad Sisters, the upcoming The Witcher IV), a young English boxer with a dark past who dreams of being a world champion. She finds herself in Ireland with the chance to box in front of a huge TV audience on a major fight card.

There's one big problem, though. On the evening of the big fight, she is ordered by her shady coach (Sinead O'Riordan) and her even shadier promoters (a pair of brothers played by Ben Condron and Frank Prendergast) to throw the match.

As tensions escalate behind the scenes - on account of rivalries between fighters, medical emergencies and a potential murder inquiry - Toni wrestles with what decision to make.

Written and directed by Maurice O'Carroll (Dead Along the Way, Sucking Diesel), Swing Bout is noteworthy for taking place entirely backstage at the major boxing event.

Upon its cinema release, JOE praised the movie's exciting premise, pressure cooker setting, and excellent performances. We said these elements all came together to create an indie flick that "punches above its weight".

JOE even interviewed its star Ciara Berkeley, and you can read an article about our converation right here.

Swing Bout is airing on TV tonight on RTÉ2 at 9.15pm. It's also available to rent on Apple TV.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight (Friday, 4 September)

For JOE's list of the best movies on TV this week, click here.