A very underrated Tom Hardy thriller movie is on TV tonight

Also starring Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce, the film is loosely based on a true story.

Adapted from Matt Bondurant's historical novel The Wettest County in the World, the film is based on the Prohibition-era bootlegging activities of the writer's grandfather, Jack Bondurant (Shia LaBeouf, Fury), and grand-uncles, Forrest (Hardy) and Howard (Jason Clarke, Murdaugh: Death in the Family).

"In 1931, the Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Va., run a multipurpose backwoods establishment that hides their true business, bootlegging," the plot synopsis states.

"Though the local police have taken bribes and left the brothers alone, a violent war erupts when a sadistic lawman (Guy Pearce, The Brutalist) from Chicago arrives and tries to shut down the Bondurants operation."

Guy Pearce in Lawless

Written by Nick Cave and directed by John Hillcoat (re-teaming after The Proposition), the ensemble cast of Lawless also includes Oscar-winners Gary Oldman (Oppenheimer) and Jessica Chastain (Molly's Game), along with Dane DeHaan (A Cure for Wellness) and Mia Wasikowska (Stoker).

A hit upon release, the movie earned decent reviews, with particular praise going to its gorgeous cinematography and period detail, as well as Pearce's terrifying villain.

That said, some took issue with its excessive violence and dark tone.

In the years since its release, however, the film seems to have earned a cult following, holding a high 7.2 IMDB score.

Lawless is airing on the channel Legend at 9pm. It's also available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

The Death of Stalin - Comedy Central - 9pm

Jason Isaacs and Steve Buscemi are among the cast of this dark but hilarious comedy that depicts the power struggle among the members of the Soviet Politburo after the death of leader Joseph Stalin in 1953.

BlackBerry - Film4 - 9pm

The brilliant 2023 biographical comedy drama about the rise and fall of the BlackBerry smartphone starring Glenn Howerton and Jay Baruchel.

Shanghai Knights - Comedy Central - 9pm

The period action comedy sequel starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.

Night Hunter - Legend Xtra - 9pm

Henry Cavill plays a detective hunting a serial killer in this action thriller that was poorly received by critics.

Malcolm X - BBC Two - 11pm

Director Spike Lee’s incredible, epic retelling of the life of Malcolm X, as played by Denzel Washington in one of his best performances.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum - Film4 - 11.20pm

Probably the weakest of the four main John Wick films, yet still pretty incredible.

Journeyman - Film4 - 1.55am

Dead Man's Shoes' Paddy Considine wrote, directed and starred in this acclaimed sports drama as a boxer whose life is impacted by a serious head injury.