The film also has one of the best final scenes in recent memory as well.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Friday, 28 February) is Nightmare Alley, the excellent 2021 neo-noir psychological thriller co-written and directed by Guillermo del Toro (Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water).
Based on the William Lindsay Gresham novel – previously made into another great film in the ’40s with Tyrone Power – the new version of the story sees Bradley Cooper play the charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle who gets a job working at a travelling carnival.
Becoming skilled at performing as a mentalist, Stanton eventually ditches the carnival and uses his newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society.
“With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet,” the plot synopsis reads.
Nightmare Alley boasts a large ensemble cast that also includes David Strathairn, Holt McCallany, Mary Steenburgen, Ron Perlman, Toni Collette and Willem Dafoe.
Thanks to its tremendous period production design, its dark and foreboding twist on the notion of the American dream and its knockout final scene that puts a perfectly twisted bow on everything that came before, the movie was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture.
Nightmare Alley is on TV tonight on Film4 at 9pm. It’s also available to stream on Disney+ and should also be available to watch on Channel 4’s website after it airs.
Here are the other movies on TV tonight:
Den of Thieves – Virgin Media One – 9pm
Fans of Heat may enjoy this similar in plot and tone movie about a group of thieves and the cop (Gerard Butler) hell-bent on taking them down.
A surprise hit in 2018, its recent sequel is still awaiting an Irish release.
Welcome to the Punch – Legend – 9pm
James McAvoy is a troubled cop on the hunt for an elusive thief (Mark Strong) in this solid British crime thriller.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – E4 – 9pm
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart headline this fun reboot of ’90s fantasy Jumanji.
Last Knights – Legend Xtra – 9pm
Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman star in this critically panned action drama based on the Japanese legend of the forty-seven rōnin.
@joedotie Gowan ‘In Bruges’ 🇮🇪😍 Ralph Fiennes chatted to JOE about working with Colin Farrell on ‘In Bruges’ 👏 He also explains the truth behind the viral ‘28 Years Later’ suspected Cillian Murphy zombie 👀 #ireland #irish #dublin #cillianmurphy #colinfarrell #brendanGleeson ♬ original sound – JOE.ie
The Godfather Part II – RTÉ2 – 9.30pm
Probably the best sequel ever made.
Bite the Bullet – TG4 – 9.50pm
A ’70s Western starring the late and great Gene Hackman.
Pretty Red Dress – BBC Two – 11.05pm
This 2022 British drama starring pop star Alexandra Burke holds an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Presumed Innocent – RTÉ One – 11.15pm
The Harrison Ford ’90s legal thriller that recently got a hit TV remake with Jake Gyllenhaal.
Angel Has Fallen – Film4 – 11.55pm
The third entry in Gerard Butler’s Has Fallen action franchise.
Read more:
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