One of the best action movies of the 21st century is on TV tonight

Stephen Porzio

Be warned though, this sadly underseen film with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score is not for the faint-hearted.

Our TV movie pick for tonight (Saturday, 17 August) is Revenge, the incredible and sadly underseen 2017 action thriller.

Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat in her feature debut, the film revolves around a young woman named Jen (Matilda Lutz, Reptile) who travels with her wealthy boyfriend Richard (Kevin Janssens) – who is married to another woman – to his luxury vacation home in the desert.

When Richard’s two hunting trip friends also arrive at the secluded destination, events quickly spiral out of control and Jen is left for the dead by the men.

All alone in the desert, against all odds, the young woman manages to recover and seeks vengeance against her attackers – turning the hunters into the hunted.

Boasting some of the most colourful and stylish cinematography in recent years, a protagonist so easy to root for and a whole host of bloody, hard-hitting, visceral action set-pieces – Fargeat takes what could have been a standard action flick and turns it into something legendary and unforgettable through the way she depicts Jen’s transformation into a powerful avenging force.

Be warned though, the movie is extremely, extremely dark and violent.

Holding a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, Revenge is also worth checking out now because Fargeat’s follow-up effort The Substance with Demi Moore – out in the UK and Ireland next month on 20 September – is already being called one of 2024’s best films.

Her 2017 movie is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 10.55pm. It is also available to stream on the horror service Shudder.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

Prizzi’s Honor – Comedy Central – 9pm

In this acclaimed black comedy crime film from legendary director John Huston (The Maltese Falcon), Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner play two highly skilled mob assassins who fall in love but wind up pitted against each other.

Monster Hunter – Film4 – 9pm

This 2020 monster flick starring Milla Jovovich is based on the video game series of the same name and is good dumb fun.

Honest Thief – Channel 4 – 9pm

*Trailer voice* Liam Neeson is the honest thief.

Ocean’s Twelve – Sky Showcase – 9pm

The crew of gentleman thief Danny Ocean (George Clooney) are pitted against another – this time French – gentleman thief (Vincent Cassel) in this very fun caper sequel.

Prospect – Legend Xtra – 9pm

An underseen sci-fi Western with Pedro Pascal that we recommended recently.

Night Hunter – Legend – 9pm

Henry Cavill plays a detective hunting a serial killer in this action thriller that did not get good reviews.

Rambo III – ITV4 – 10.35pm

Sylvester Stallone reprises his role as Vietnam war veteran John Rambo in this second sequel to the action classic First Blood.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – Channel 4 – 11pm

Chris Pine is the titular CIA man created by author Tom Clancy in this decent action thriller.

Howl – Legend Xtra – 11pm

This 2015 British horror follows passengers on a train who must band together to survive after being attacked by a werewolf.

Predator – Film4 – 11.05pm

“Get to da choppa!!!”

Hounded – BBC One – 11.45pm

In this 2022 satirical horror thriller, a gang of young thieves in the midst of a robbery of a sprawling British manor get more than they bargained for when they are captured by the property owners.

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