Argo

Argo has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in Australia on Stan, and in the UK on Netflix and HBO Max Amazon Channel. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Ben Affleck work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Argo is worth clearing space for. At its heart, Argo understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador. Ben Affleck and Bryan Cranston lead a cast that gives the tension real weight. Argo came out in 2012. The plot mechanics of Argo never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Argo delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Ben Affleck'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.