Star-studded retelling of sci-fi movie classic on TV tonight

Starring two Oscar winners, the film is also available to stream on Disney+.

In the reimagining of the '50s classic of the same name, Reeves plays Klaatu, an alien representative for a group of planetary civilisations that travels to Earth.

His goal is to assess whether humans will put an end to the environmental damage they have inflicted on their own planet.

"When barred from speaking to the United Nations, Klaatu decides humankind shall be exterminated so the planet can survive," the plot synopsis adds.

The Day the Earth Stood Still was directed by recent JOE interviewee Scott Derrickson, the filmmaker behind such hits as The Black Phone, Doctor Strange, The Gorge and Sinister.

It also stars Oscar-winners Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and Kathy Bates (Misery), alongside Jaden Smith (The Karate Kid), James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once), John Cleese (Monty Python), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), and Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights).

The Day the Earth Stood Still was a hit at the box office, despite earning poor reviews for the most part from critics.

Derrickson has also spoken about his "horrific experience" making the blockbuster, stating: "It wasn't my movie."

That said, there are still some elements of the film that might make it worth seeking out for sci-fi fans, mainly Reeves' otherworldly performance and some impressive special effects.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is on Film4 today at 6.55pm. It is also streaming on Disney+.

For JOE's list of the other movies on TV tonight, click here.