One of the best action movies of the past 10 years is on TV tonight

Written and directed by Leigh Whannell (Insidious, The Invisible Man, Saw), the film is set in the near-future where technology controls nearly all aspects of life.

Its story follows Grey (Logan Marshall-Green, Prometheus), a self-professed technophobe, who is left paralysed after a violent mugging, in which his wife was also killed.

A billionaire inventor (Harrison Gilbertson, Oppenheimer) soon offers Grey a cure by way of an artificial intelligence implant called STEM that will enhance his body.

“Now able to walk, Grey finds that he also has superhuman strength and agility, skills he uses to seek revenge against the thugs who destroyed his life,” the plot synopsis adds.

Feeling like the perfect mix of Black Mirror (with its timely, technological themes), John Wick (with its bone-crunching action) and Venom (in the way Grey and STEM communicate), JOE has recommended Upgrade before.

We are doing so again, however, because a movie that blends genres so well, delivers hard-hitting action set-pieces on a low budget (of just $3 million), and boasts such an unforgettable ending, deserves a bigger audience.

Upgrade is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 9pm. The movie is also available to stream on YouTube with ads.

Django Unchained – Film4 – 9pm

Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning Western epic.

The World’s End – ITV4 – 9pm

The third (and for our money, most underrated) entry in Edgar Wright, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg’s ‘Cornetto Trilogy’.

Crocodile Dundee II – Comedy Central – 9pm

Paul Hogan reprises his role as the titular Australian crocodile hunter in this less well-regarded action comedy sequel.

The Way of the Gun – Legend Xtra – 9pm

Ryan Phillippe and Benicio del Toro star in this 2000 crime thriller that was the directorial debut of Christopher McQuarrie (the last few Mission: Impossible films).

The 39 Steps – BBC Four – 10pm

While on vacation in London, a Canadian (Robert Donat) becomes embroiled in a spy conspiracy in this legendary 1930s thriller from director Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Vertigo).

Machete Kills – Legend – 11pm

Danny Trejo returns as the legendary ex-Federale, Machete Cortez, in another lesser action comedy sequel.

Calendar Girls – BBC Four – 11.20pm

Helen Mirren and Julie Walters headline this British-based-on-a-true-story comedy about a group of women who pose nude for a calendar so that they can raise funds for a local hospital.

The Kid Detective – Film4 – 12.20am

The 2020 mystery comedy noir about a once-celebrated kid detective who, now aged 31 (and played by Adam Brody), embarks on his first adult case.

Heat director Michael Mann made his feature theatrical debut with this excellent ’80s neo-noir crime thriller.