Our TV movie pick for tonight (Thursday, 21 August) is Ready or Not, the excellent 2019 horror thriller starring scream queen Samara Weaving (The Babysitter, Scream VI).
In the film, Weaving plays Grace, a young bride who marries the man of her dreams (Mark O'Brien, Republic of Doyle) at his uber-rich family's luxurious estate.
There's just one catch, however. Grace's spouse's wealthy clan have a bizarre wedding night ritual.
The bride must hide from midnight until dawn while her new in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and other weapons.
"As Grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-lovable relatives," the plot synopsis reads.
Ready or Not was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, also known for their work on the recent Scream films and last year's very fun Abigail.
The movie's ensemble cast also includes Adam Brody (The O.C.), Andie MacDowell (Sex, Lies and Videotape), Henry Czerny (Mission: Impossible), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black) and Melanie Scrofano (Letterkenny).
A box office hit upon release, the movie earned rave reviews from critics and currently holds an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Its clever and darkly funny screenplay, its claustrophobic mansion setting, its immensely likeable lead turn from Weaving and its fun supporting cast were singled out for particular praise.
In fact, a sequel - brilliantly titled Ready or Not 2: Here I Come - is set for release on 10 April, 2026.
The original is airing on TV tonight on Film4 at 11.35pm. Ready or Not is also streaming on Disney+.
The Italian Job - BBC Four - 8pm
The classic '60s heist caper with Michael Caine.
Nope - Film4 - 9pm
Get Out and Us writer-director Jordan Peele turned his attention to UFOs in his excellent third horror film.
The Krays - ITV4 - 9pm
This well-reviewed ’90s crime-drama sees real-life brothers and Spandau Ballet band members Gary and Martin Kemp play British gangster twins Ronald and Reginald Kray.
The Lawnmower Man - Legend Xtra - 9pm
The ’90s sci-fi horror with Pierce Brosnan that was very, very loosely based on a Stephen King short story – so loosely in fact that it led to a lawsuit.
Last Seen Alive - Sky Showcase - 9pm
Gerard Butler headlines this 2022 action thriller about a man whose wife suddenly vanishes at a gas station.
As part of his desperate efforts to find her, he takes the law into his own hands.
The Silence of the Lambs - BBC Four - 10.20pm
Still, the only horror to win the Best Picture prize at the Oscars.
RoboCop 3 - ITV4 - 11.25pm
Robert John Burke replaces Peter Weller as the title character in this 1993 sequel.
Death Race 2000 - Legend Xtra - 11.45pm
The ’70s cult sci-fi action film starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone.
