Along Came a Spider

Right now you can watch Along Came a Spider in Australia on Paramount Plus, and in the US on Philo and Starz Apple TV Channel — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 2,080 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Morgan Freeman's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Paramount Plus.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Along Came a Spider is worth clearing space for. The plotting gives Along Came a Spider its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. After the harrowing death of his partner, forensic psychologist and best-selling author Alex Cross cannot forgive himself and has retreated to the peace of retirement. But when a brilliant criminal kidnaps a senator's young daughter, he is lured back into action as the kidnapper wants to deal with Alex personally. Teamed with Jezzie Flanigan, the Secret Service agent assigned to protect the missing girl, Alex follows a serpentine trail of clues that leads him to a stunning discovery - the kidnapper wants more than just ransom. Credit to Morgan Freeman and Monica Potter for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. It hit screens in 2001. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Along Came a Spider passes that test consistently. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Along Came a Spider. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch Morgan Freeman work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.