American Assassin

American Assassin has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in Australia on Stan, and in the US on fuboTV and Paramount Plus Premium. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 3,282 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Dylan O'Brien's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

American Assassin arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. American Assassin treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. Following the murder of his fiancée, Mitch Rapp trains under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley. The pair then is enlisted to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on military and civilian targets. The writing gets a boost from Dylan O'Brien and Michael Keaton, who sell every scene they're in. American Assassin came out in 2017. The plot mechanics of American Assassin never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, American Assassin delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Dylan O'Brien's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.