From Auschwitz to Springsteen: The Seven Must-See Films on TV This Week

Television schedules this week offer a remarkable selection of cinematic experiences, ranging from Oscar-winning historical dramas to nostalgic classics and contemporary biopics. Whether you're seeking thought-provoking commentary or pure entertainment, there's something for every viewer.

The Zone of Interest: A Chilling Masterpiece

Jonathan Glazer's Oscar-winning drama continues to generate profound discussion within film circles. Christian Friedel delivers a transformative performance as Rudolf Höss, the Auschwitz commandant, while Sandra Hüller portrays his wife with unsettling normalcy. The film presents their family living in an idyllic country home adjacent to the concentration camp, with the horrors of industrial-scale murder often audible just beyond their garden wall.

This immersive historical drama transcends its period setting to make chilling observations about contemporary society and humanity's capacity to ignore atrocities happening nearby. The film's power lies in its subtlety and the stark contrast between domestic tranquility and unimaginable suffering. Catch this landmark cinematic achievement on Saturday 24 January at 9.45pm on Channel 4.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Prestige television's favourite Jeremys unite in this Golden Globe-nominated biopic exploring Bruce Springsteen's creative process. Jeremy Allen White, acclaimed for his role in The Bear, embodies the Boss during a particularly introspective period of his life. The film focuses on Springsteen's retreat to his Colts Neck, New Jersey home, where he grappled with childhood trauma while developing the demo that would eventually become his seminal 1982 album, Nebraska.

Jeremy Strong, known for his Succession role, portrays Jon Landau, Springsteen's loyal manager and producer who consistently supported the artist through creative challenges. This character-driven exploration of artistic vulnerability and musical innovation is available to stream now on Disney+.

Classic Cinema and Contemporary Gems

The week's programming includes several notable films spanning different eras and genres:

The Blob (Sunday 25 January, 2.25am, Talking Pictures TV): This 1958 B-movie classic features Steve McQueen in his first leading role, battling a carnivorous alien amoeba that grows exponentially while devouring everything in its path. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has praised the film's alien concept from a scientific perspective.
Election (Monday 26 January, 11pm, BBC Three): Alexander Payne's sharp political satire stars Matthew Broderick as a high school teacher who attempts to sabotage the student council campaign of overachieving pupil Tracy Flick, played by Reese Witherspoon in a career-defining performance.
River of No Return (Wednesday 28 January, 2.40pm, Film4): This musical western showcases Marilyn Monroe at the peak of her cinematic beauty alongside Robert Mitchum. The film's spectacular mountain sequences make excellent use of America's natural landscapes while telling a story loosely inspired by Italian neorealism.
The Naked Gun (Friday 30 January, 9.10am, Sky Cinema Premiere): The recent reboot of this beloved comedy franchise receives its UK television premiere, with Liam Neeson taking on the role of Lt Frank Drebin Jr. The film features Pamela Anderson as a crime novelist who helps Drebin recover a stolen gadget and restore order to Los Angeles.
Bird (Friday 30 January, 11pm, BBC Two): Andrea Arnold's magical realist coming-of-age story follows twelve-year-old Bailey, played by debutant Nykiya Adams, as she navigates parental neglect and forms an unexpected friendship with an eccentric stranger called Bird. The film features supporting performances from Barry Keoghan and Jasmine Jobson.

This diverse selection demonstrates television's continued role as a valuable platform for both contemporary cinema and classic films, offering viewers convenient access to significant cinematic works across multiple genres and eras.