The film is also currently streaming on Disney+.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Thursday, 8 May) is The Empty Man, the incredible mystery horror thriller epic that came out in 2020.
Set mostly in modern-day Missouri, the film follows a grieving retired cop named James Lasombra (James Badge Dale, Spectral) who is asked by his friend, Nora (Marin Ireland, Sneaky Pete), to investigate the disappearance of her daughter, Amanda (Sasha Frolova, Red Sparrow).
Amanda seemingly packed up the night, leaving the ominous message on the bathroom mirror: “The Empty Man made me do it.”
“As he investigates this mysterious figure further, James begins to see and hear strange things, and is forced to come to terms with his past and what it means for his future,” the plot synopsis reads.
Loosely based on the comic book series of the same name, don’t let The Empty Man’s generic title stop you from seeking it out this ambitious, nerve-rattling horror thriller.
As James investigates Amanda’s disappearance, he uncovers a sinister, strange web involving the titular local legend, a group of missing teenagers that possibly summoned it, tulpas and a shady organisation titled The Pontifex Institute hiding its sinister motivations in plain sight.
The movie also begins with an absolutely terrifying opening 22-minute sequence set in ’90s Bhutan, which only links up to the plotline involving the ex-cop towards the end of the 137-minute-long flick.
The Empty Man was written and directed by David Prior in his feature debut, with his script exploring a variety of weighty themes, including existentialism, identity and nihilism.
It’s worth noting, too, that Prior got his start directing documentaries about David Fincher’s films.
As such, he imbues his debut with the same dark style that Fincher brought to the likes of Gone Girl, Mindhunter and Zodiac.
Though it received middling reviews upon release, The Empty Man quickly earned reappraisal and is now seen by many critics as a modern cult classic.
The movie is airing on TV tonight/tomorrow morning at Film4 at 12.40am. It’s also available to stream on Disney+.
Here are the other films airing on TV tonight:
Jesus Christ Superstar – BBC Four – 8pm
The 1973 adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera.
The Rock – ITV4 – 9pm
In this deliriously fun action flick, a former SAS captain (Sean Connery) and an FBI chemist (Nicolas Cage) team up to stop a rogue general (Ed Harris) from launching chemical weapons on Alcatraz Island into San Francisco.
Wild Card – Film4 – 9pm
The star-studded, underseen action thriller with Jason Statham as a gambling addict and bodyguard in Las Vegas. We’ve recommended it before.
Couples Retreat – Comedy Central – 9pm
Vince Vaughn leads the cast of this critically panned comedy about four couples who go on a retreat together.
Imposter – Legend – 9pm
A decent sci-fi thriller based on a Philip K. Dick story about a man (Gary Sinise) in a near-future who is accused of being an alien replicant.
And Then There Were None – Sky Arts – 9pm
The ’70s movie adaptation of Agatha Christie’s legendary mystery novel starring Oliver Reed and Richard Attenborough.
The Invisible Woman – BBC Four – 10.10pm
Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this well-liked biographical drama about Charles Dickens.
Commando – Film4 – 10.50pm
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s soldier must rescue his daughter after she’s abducted by mercenaries in this ’80s action flick that is cheesy fun.
Universal Soldier: Regeneration – Legend – 10.55pm
The underseen action sci-fi sequel gem that we’ve also recommended before.
The Flock – Legend – 10.55pm
Claire Danes and Richard Gere headline this gritty thriller as Department of Public Safety agents on the hunt for a missing girl.
