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 (Wednesday, 4 December) 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 99p.
Here are the other movies on TV tonight:
The King’s Man – Film4 – 9pm
This prequel in the Kingsman series of action spy comedies takes place during WWI and stars Ralph Fiennes.
Coogan’s Bluff – ITV4 – 10pm
This ’60s crime thriller is the first collaboration between Clint Eastwood and director Don Siegel who would later work together on Dirty Harry and Escape from Alcatraz.
Under Suspicion – Legend – 11.10pm
Gene Hackman plays a wealthy man in Puerto Rico suspected of committing a shocking crime and Morgan Freeman is the detective investigating him in this decent thriller.
The Real Charlie Chaplin – Film4 – 11.40pm
This documentary about the legendary comedy star has a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score.
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