TV FILMS of the week
1 CHARLIE SAYS Tonight, Film4, 11.15pm
Matt Smith plays Charles Manson in this drama from American Psycho director Mary Harron, although the focus is on three of his female followers; Susan Atkins (Marianne Rendon), Patricia Krenwinkel (Sosie ‘daughter of Kevin’ Bacon) and Leslie Van Houten (Hannah Murray). As the film opens, the trio have been in prison for three years but are still very much under Charlie’s spell. So, graduate student Karlene Faith (Merritt Wever) is brought in to help them understand the magnitude of their crimes as a series of flashbacks show how they came to be involved in murder.
2 I, TONYA Tomorrow, BBC2, 10pm
In this blackly humorous biopic, ice skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie, pictured) bemoans the judges’ cool response to her talent while rival Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver) is lavished with praise. As frustration grows, Tonya’s boyfriend Jeff (Sebastian Stan) and bodyguard Shawn (Paul Walter Hauser) hatch a loopy plan.
3 THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Monday, Film4, 9pm
Roll up and rock out for director Michael Gracey’s foot-stomping musical based on the life of circus impresario Phineas Taylor Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman, pictured). A crowd-pleasing rags-to-riches fairytale set to a wickedly infectious score, it also stars Michelle Williams, Zac Effron, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya.
4 CRIMSON TIDE Tuesday, ITV4, 9pm
A Russian nuclear missile base falls into ultranationalist hands, and a US submarine is ordered to prepare for a pre-emptive strike. The captain clashes with his new by-the-book first mate over what course of action to take. Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington, pictured, are superb in the leading roles in Tony Scott’s tense thriller.
5 SNOWPIERCER Wednesday, Film4, 11.50pm
This dark fantasy thriller boasts an impressive cast including Chris Evans (pictured), Tilda Swinton and Jamie Bell. A failed experiment to end global warming has turned the Earth into a frozen wasteland. What’s left of humanity is confined to a high-speed train, where passengers are divided by class – but a revolution is afoot.
6 THE MARTIAN Thursday, Film4, 9pm
The six-strong crew of the Ares 3 are gathering samples on Mars when a storm hits. During the trek back to the ship, botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon, pictured) is hit by debris. Believing him to be dead, the crew blasts off, but Watney is still alive. On Earth, NASA lets Mark know the cavalry is coming – but can he last until it arrives?
7 THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB Friday, Film 4, 9pm
This thriller resuscitates Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s avenging angel Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy, pictured). Lisbeth is hired to hack the servers of the National Security Agency (NSA) and steal an application that can access the world’s nuclear codes. But heractions attract the attention of NSA agent Edwin Needham (Lakeith Stanfield).