Always

Always has built a real following in the US on Netflix among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 672 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Richard Dreyfuss — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Always arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Always treats its concept seriously enough to follow it all the way through. The spirit of a recently deceased expert pilot mentors a newer pilot while watching him fall in love with the girlfriend that he left behind. Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1989. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Always fits the bill. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Richard Dreyfuss anchors it with a performance that makes the more abstract moments feel personal. If you have been burned by ambitious sci-fi before, this is the exception.