Top Films to Watch on TV This Week: From Oscar-Winning Capers to Emotional Dramas
This week's TV lineup offers a thrilling selection of films, ranging from action-packed capers to poignant period dramas. Whether you're in the mood for breathless fun or deep emotional exploration, these seven picks are sure to captivate audiences.
One Battle After Another: A Riotous Oscar-Winning Caper
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another delivers a larger-than-life adventure with political undertones, earning him an Oscar. Based on Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, the film simplifies the author's complex style into an accessible and exhilarating action story. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Bob, a member of a left-wing revolutionary group betrayed by his lover, living off-grid with his teenage daughter Willa, played by Chase Infiniti.
Their peaceful existence is shattered when white supremacist Col Steven Lockjaw, portrayed by Sean Penn, arrives, claiming Willa might be his child. Forced on the run, Bob and Willa encounter a colorful cast including Benicio del Toro as a martial arts teacher and migrant activist, along with assassins and radical nuns. This film is a breathless and fun ride, airing on Thursday at 10.30am and 10.20pm on Sky Cinema Premiere and HBO Max.
On Swift Horses: A Tale of Desire and Identity in the 1950s
In On Swift Horses, director Daniel Minahan presents a plaintive and episodic drama set in the 1950s, exploring themes of passion and identity. Jacob Elordi plays Julius, a discharged Korean war soldier who visits his brother Lee, portrayed by Will Poulter, in Kansas. There, he forms an instant connection with Lee's fiancee Muriel, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Set against a backdrop where sexual fluidity was taboo and illegal, the film delves into the stymied desires of its characters. Julius finds himself in the domestic routine of San Diego, while Muriel navigates life as a card sharp in Vegas. Their journeys are linked by a shared struggle to embrace their true selves. Catch this emotional story on Saturday at 8.20am and 9.45pm on Sky Cinema Premiere.
La Chimera: An Engaging Drama of Grave-Robbers and Longing
Alice Rohrwacher's 2023 drama La Chimera is a wonderful film that digs deep into the heart. It follows a ragtag group of Italian grave-robbers who unearth and plunder ancient Etruscan tombs. Josh O'Connor stars as Arthur, an English archaeologist with a unique ability to locate these tombs, recently freed from prison but quickly returning to his old ways.
While pining for his missing lover, Arthur's life takes a turn when he meets Italia, played by Carol Duarte, a maid who offers a potential path out of his dissolute lifestyle. This engaging film airs on Saturday at 9.20pm on BBC Four.
Theater Camp: A Sweet Mockumentary Celebrating Unconventional Havens
Theater Camp is a mockumentary that avoids mocking its subjects, instead offering a sweet portrayal of a financially precarious youth performing-arts summer school. Directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, the film follows the camp's season after its director suffers a stroke.
Her son, Troy, played by Jimmy Tatro, takes charge as a "business vlogger," much to the bemusement of the kids and staff, including teachers Rebecca-Diane and Amos, portrayed by Molly Gordon and Ben Platt. This film serves as a love letter to institutions that provide havens for the unconforming and outcast. Watch it on Tuesday at 9pm on Film4.
Superman: A Witty Reboot Exploring Accountability and Power
James Gunn's reboot of the DC comics legend, Superman, adds a superdog and explores deep questions about accountability. David Corenswet stars as Kal-El, also known as Clark Kent, who grapples with his role on Earth. His struggles are compounded by girlfriend and reporter Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, and tech billionaire Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult.
Lex Luthor's fiendish plans add tension to this witty and thought-provoking film. Tune in on Thursday at 8.05am and 8pm on Sky Cinema Premiere and HBO Max.
Billy Idol Should Be Dead: A Colorful Documentary on a Punk Rock Icon
Jonas Åkerlund's documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead delves into the life of the punk rocker, from his early days in the British punk scene to his rise as a US-based pop singer. The film features anecdotes about drugs, sex, and survival, including Idol's struggles with heroin and crack.
It also assesses his key role in popularizing MTV and his resilience through overdoses, bike crashes, and changing musical tastes. This colorful documentary airs on Thursday at 2am on Sky Arts.
Femme: A Provocative Thriller of Revenge and Powerplay
Femme, directed by Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, is a provocative and sexy thriller set in a night-time world of transgression. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett stars as drag performer Jules, who is assaulted by thuggish Preston, played by George MacKay. Months later, Jules spots Preston in a gay sauna and plots a seduction to post footage online for revenge.
The story evolves into a fascinating emotional and sexual powerplay between the two men, featuring bold performances. Watch this thrilling film on Friday at 11pm on BBC Two.
