One of the best Western movies of recent years is airing on TV tonight

Written and directed by an Oscar winner, the film has a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Written and directed by Zhao and described as a contemporary Western, the film centres around a young cowboy named Brady Blackburn (played by Brady Jandreau) as he searches for a new purpose after a riding accident leaves him unable to compete on the rodeo circuit.

Loosely based on Jandreau’s real-life, Zhao made The Rider on a micro-budget – with the movie’s cast full of non-professional actors playing fictionalised versions of themselves.

The Western wound up being a major success – grossing over $4 million at the box-office and earning a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie’s powerful story, Jandreau’s lead performance and the film’s beautiful vistas were singled out for particular praise.

The Rider is airing on TV on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning at 1.35am on Film4. It is also available to rent on Apple TV.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

Olympus Has Fallen – Film4 – 9pm

Gerard Butler must defend The White House from terrorists in this solid action flick.

Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life – ITV4 – 9pm

The 1983 cult sketch comedy film.

Police Academy 2: The First Assignment – Comedy Central – 9pm

The second entry in the long running cop-comedy series.

Killerman – Legend – 9pm

Liam Hemsworth headlines this 2019 action crime movie which earned mixed reviews from critics.