Film4

Described by film fans as a ‘slow burn’ and a hidden gem, this highly praised thriller stars Emile Hirsch, John Cusack, Déborah François and Molly McCann

A gritty Western starring John Cusack is ‘blowing viewers away’ with its ‘slow burn’, and it’s airing tonight (Sunday, January 25) on Film4.

Never Grow Old, released in 2019, is directed by Ivan Kavanagh. and stars Emile Hirsch, John Cusack, Déborah François and Molly McCann. The film is a gritty Western telling the story of an Irish undertaker, Patrick Tate (Emile Hirsch), living in a frontier town corrupted by outlaw Dutch Albert (John Cusack) and his gang. As the death toll skyrockets, Patrick profits from burying the dead but faces a moral crisis and threats to his family, forcing him to choose between blood money and survival in a violent world without law or religion.

The film has been praised as being a hidden gem by fans on film ratings website Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds an 86 per cent score. One review posted: “Slow burn, with plenty of understated tension. Not an action western, more of an underplayed character drama with some brutally honest killing. Very good movie!”

Another posted: “Whoa, acting blew me away. And I’m not usually one who notices THAT particular part of a film. Yeah, the story might be a trope in some ways, but the performances and mood are worthwhile.”

“Perfect feel to this 1850s’ period movie. I enjoyed it very much! A+,” said a third.

A fourth added: “Never Grow Old is a slow-burn type of western that utilises its rich subtext and visual symbolism to create a thought-provoking narrative and look into the bleak western frontier life.”

“A great plot, great actors, and a massive dose of spine-chilling action, in other words, a great movie,” said a fifth.

Another shared: “Dark, brooding and bleak would be the best 3 words to describe this film…and I use them as compliments! The dialogue between Cusack and Hirsch boils with so much tension…all leading up to a conclusion that honestly left me speechless.”

One review praised the film as it said: “I enjoyed this movie. Everything from the sets to the costumes and the demeanour of it was right on point. Every shot was spot on with the overall look.

“Emile Hirsch and John Cusack do well with the material, and it seems rooted down into its genre. But it didn’t depict what a 1850s’ settlement would be. The flags were not like that since it was before the Civil War. That I suppose is its main drawback, but it was well told and didn’t have too much violence and was a relief with some fresh air about it. Good movie and worth a look at.”

Another shared their view: “Damn good piece of filmmaking. My mother’s aunt’s brother’s nephew’s wife’s cousin was on the California trail and said this was a very accurate picture. She said Cusack did an amazing job; he looks just like Dutch Albert and got all his mannerisms down. She also said Hirsch did a great job, too, and looks just like Patrick Tate and got him down pat, too.

“Very accurate performances, almost like they knew the men. She said the story was how it happened and corroborates everything. They even filmed on location where it happened and made it look exactly like it was. Great job!

“The story is a bit dark, so be in the mood. The tension and the storytelling are great, though. Overall, it’s a great movie to watch.”

Never Grow Old airs tonight (Sunday, January 25) on Film4 at 11.40pm.

This action packed film picks up directly from the prequel before it, and it’s packed full of motorcycle stunts, gunplay and intricately choreographed fight scenes

A film starring Keanu Reeves in one of his most iconic roles has been hailed as ‘literally the best movie of all time’, and it’s on Film4 tonight.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, released in 2019, picks straight up from Chapter 2 and follows super-assassin John Wick as he becomes “excommunicado” after killing a High Table member, Santino D’Antonio on Continental grounds, and putting a $14 million bounty on his head.

The pressure is forcing Wicks to fight waves of elite assassins across New York, Morocco, and beyond, seeking aid from old allies like Sofia while grappling with his debt to the shadowy High Table to survive and find peace. The film is another action packed thrill seeking movie, with lead actor Keanu Reeves undergoing intense training to keep up the pace from the previous John Wicks saga.

Reeves trained for four months before filming, mastering new martial arts, gunplay, motorcycle stunts, and horse riding, stating he loved the character and universe so wanted to stay committed to the role.The film involves complex fights, including a glass room scene, that don’t involve any CGI and instead focused on intricate choreography and real-world physics.

The reviews for this action film speak for themselves, with movie review site Rotten Tomatoes giving the film an 89 percent approval rating. One fan wrote: “Literally one of the best movies of all time this movie is amazing. It was very dramatic and had lots of action and John Wick is like the coolest person ever.” Another said: “Hands down has the best mix of hand to hand combat with firearms mixed in. The movie has a good runtime but does drag at certain points but overall has the best keeping your eyes glued to the screen factor.”

“My personal favorite of the John Wick series; peak cinematography, action, acting, and set pieces. Absolutely beautiful,” said a third. Another posted: “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is the most relentless chapter in the series, built entirely around consequence. The film opens with Wick racing against the clock, and it never lets up. Every injury carries forward, making the action feel punishing rather than flashy.

“The set pieces are inventive but disciplined. The antique shop knife fight is brutal and methodical, the horse stable sequence turns the environment into a weapon, and the use of trained dogs emphasizes coordination and tactics instead of chaos. Even at peak intensity, the choreography stays clear and readable.

“What defines Chapter 3 is its commitment to rules. Defying the High Table doesn’t make Wick powerful—it makes his world smaller and more dangerous. The film leans into myth while reinforcing that freedom comes at a steep cost, delivering a focused, exhausting, and uncompromising action experience.”

Another praised Keanu Reeves for his lead role, as they posted: “A fun action movie that you shouldn’t take super seriously, just enjoy. It’s well made with practically constant action with set locations. The villain is fun and some of the action scenes are brutal but also just so well done. Keanu’s acting is pretty amazing. Can’t believe he hasn’t gotten an Oscar lol.”

“This was thrilling to watch John Wick 3 Action from start to finish. Can’t wait for No 4 Highly recommend this film. Amazing action, Keanu Reeves at his best yet again,” said another.

John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum airs on Friday 16 January on Film4 at 11.05pm.