Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
ITVX is better known for major television programmes, but its free film catalogue also includes some unusually strong true-crime and character-driven dramas. Checked on 18 August 2026, Bernie, Monster and Bronson were listed on ITVX’s standard, ad-supported service in the UK. Streaming rights can change, so check the ITVX app or title page before watching.
Quick pick
| If you want… | Watch… |
|---|---|
| A dark comedy with a true-crime twist | Bernie |
| A devastating, actor-led crime drama | Monster |
| A theatrical and intense prison biopic | Bronson |
These are “hidden gems” in the practical sense: they are less obvious choices than ITVX’s biggest franchise films, but each has a recognisable star or director and offers a distinctive experience. They are also all under two hours.
Bernie — the most accessible choice
Bernie (2011) is Richard Linklater’s strange, dryly funny take on a real-life Texas crime. Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, a small-town mortician whose relationship with a wealthy widow takes an increasingly disturbing turn. Matthew McConaughey and Shirley MacLaine also star.
The film’s unusual appeal comes from its mixture of fictionalised drama and documentary-style testimony. Local residents appear to describe events, giving the story an eccentric community feel while Black delivers a surprisingly restrained performance. The humour is often warm, but the subject matter remains uncomfortable; this is not a conventional crime comedy.
#1 Best Overall
- 1080P Full HD & Stable Streaming:BKSEEQ Wireless HDMI Display Adapter delivers 1080P HD output with dual-band 2.4G+5G for low-latency, smooth playback up to 10 m / 33 ft,ideal for home theater, fitness videos, online classes, and presentations. Reliable wireless hdmi transmitter for daily use.
- Multi-Device Compatibility:Screen Mirroring Adapter for TV works with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Ideal for phones, tablets, and laptops. supports wireless hdmi display adapter, screen mirroring adapter for TV, miracast dongle, and airplay adapter functions.
- Plug & Play, Hassle-Free Setup:Wireless Display Adapter requires no apps, Bluetooth, or complicated Wi-Fi steps. Just plug in and mirror instantly.compact cable-free setup reduces clutter;Built-in hotspot; powered by USB or power bank; pocket-size design for travel and daily use
- Smart Display Modes: AirPlay, Miracast, DLNA; mirror or extend your screen.This device works as a wireless display adapter for instant mirroring and extends your workspace for multitasking.One-click portrait/landscape switch; supports screen-off casting for private, battery-saving playback; perfect for TikTok, YouTube, browsing, and documents
- HDCP Notice — Limitations for Protected Apps:Due to "HDCP" video copyright protection, this hdmi wireless adapter cannot display content from HDCP-protected paid apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Xfinity, Vudu, or Sky Go.General video playback, social media, web browsing, and office use remain fully supported.
- Best for: viewers wanting an offbeat, relatively accessible true-crime film.
- Tone: dry, eccentric, darkly comic and unexpectedly warm.
- ITVX runtime: approximately 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Warnings: discriminatory language, adult content and distressing scenes, according to the ITVX listing.
Watch this if: you want the broadest-appeal option of the three and enjoy films that blur the line between drama and documentary.
Monster — a harrowing performance piece
Monster (2003), directed by Patty Jenkins, is based on the crimes of Aileen Wuornos. Charlize Theron gives the central performance, with Christina Ricci and Bruce Dern also appearing. Theron’s transformation and psychologically focused portrayal are the film’s main reason to watch; she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the role.
Jenkins does not present the story as light entertainment or a straightforward procedural. The film is bleak, violent and emotionally difficult, concentrating on Wuornos’s relationships, circumstances and escalating crimes. As with any dramatisation of real events, it should be understood as an interpretation rather than a definitive factual record.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall- Best for: viewers seeking a serious, actor-led crime drama.
- Tone: harrowing, violent and psychologically heavy.
- ITVX runtime: approximately 1 hour 44 minutes.
- Warnings: very strong language, violence, sexual violence and sexual scenes, according to ITVX.
Watch this if: the performance is your priority and you are prepared for an intense film about real crimes. It is the least suitable choice for casual or light viewing.
Rank #2
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s TV streaming platform, exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10 plus
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Bronson — the most unconventional pick
Bronson (2008) is Nicolas Winding Refn’s stylised drama about Michael Peterson, better known as Charles Bronson, a notorious British prisoner. Tom Hardy leads the film, alongside Matt King and James Lance.
This is not a conventional, chronological prison biography. Refn presents Bronson’s life through a heightened, theatrical structure, making Hardy’s volatile performance the centre of the film. The result is aggressive, surreal and deliberately unsettling rather than a neutral account of a complicated life.
- Best for: viewers who prefer experimental character studies to conventional biopics.
- Tone: confrontational, theatrical, violent and surreal.
- ITVX runtime: approximately 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Warnings: strong language, strong violence, nudity, adult themes and flashing images, according to ITVX.
Watch this if: you want the shortest and strangest film here, and are happy with a stylised interpretation rather than a factual life story.
Recommended Free Tools
What “free on ITVX” means
These films were identified as free on ITVX’s standard UK service when checked on 18 August 2026. ITVX funds that service through advertising, so “free” does not mean ad-free and does not guarantee permanent access.
Rank #3
- [Very Important !]Certain Apps Not Supported: Wireless HDMI display dongle adapter do not compatible with certain paid apps that employ "HDCP" video copyright protection, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos, Hulu, Comcast TV, Xfinity, Vudu, Sky Go, BT Sport etc. PLEASE PS: DO NOT RECOMMEND FOR GAMING USING
- [PLUG & PLAY, 1080P HD] This Portable Transmitter requires no apps, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi—just plug and play for easy TV connection. It supports 4K decoding and delivers smooth 1080P Full HD output.
- [5G Stable Transmission and Low Latency] The Wireless Transmitter utilizes 5G wireless transmission to ensure fast, stable, low-latency connections. Enjoy wireless streaming anytime, anywhere, whether in business presentations, meeting rooms, home entertainment, and multimedia education
- [Comfortable Viewing Experience] The Wireless HDMI Display Adapter supports mirror mode and off-screen mode. By clicking the button in the middle, you can easily zoom in and out of the screen to enhance the viewing experience.
- [Broad Compatibility Across All Your Devices] Works seamlessly with iOS, and mac OS devices. Supports wireless protocols including AirPlay, DLNA, Miracast, and Cast. Effortlessly stream video, audio, photos, and files to any TV, monitor, or projector. Note: Not compatible with certain Go*ogle-based devices (e.g., Pi*xel series, Google Mo*bile Services).
ITVX Premium is an optional upgrade that removes adverts from most on-demand shows and films and offers features including downloads on supported mobile versions, subject to licensing. It also adds further content. You do not need Premium to watch these recommendations based on their current free listings, and it may offer little value if you only want to try one film and do not mind adverts.
ITVX is a UK streaming service, so this recommendation is specifically for viewers in the UK. Catalogue rights can change without notice, and title pages may display differently across web browsers, mobile devices and television apps. If a direct link no longer works, search the film title within ITVX.
Which one should you start with?
Start with Bernie for the most accessible blend of crime, comedy and documentary-style storytelling. Choose Monster for the most serious and emotionally demanding performance. Pick Bronson for an intense, theatrical film that treats its subject as a piece of stylised cinema rather than a conventional biography.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
None should be treated as a fully verified account of real events. Their value is in the different ways they turn real crimes and real people into distinctive films—and all three are manageable single-evening watches on ITVX when available.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

