6 Days

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, 6 Days is available in Australia on Netflix and Foxtel Now, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jamie Bell anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, 6 Days is worth clearing space for. 6 Days treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. London, England, April 1980. Six terrorists assault the Embassy of Iran and take hostages. For six days, tense negotiations are held while the authorities decide whether a military squad should intervene. Jamie Bell and Mark Strong lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2017. The plot mechanics of 6 Days never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in 6 Days. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Watch Jamie Bell work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.