Blackbird

Right now you can watch Blackbird in the US on Philo and YouTube TV — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Mo'Nique — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Available now on Philo — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Blackbird is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Blackbird takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. Seventeen-year-old Randy tries very hard to be a good person. Since his father left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother, and he's the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret inner struggle and denial of his true self. The performances from Mo'Nique and Isaiah Washington give it more weight than the premise alone would suggest. It was released in 2014. Blackbird resists tidy resolutions in a way that respects how messy real consequences actually are. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Blackbird. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Mo'Nique carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.

Blackbird was released in 2014, directed by Patrik-Ian Polk. The full 99-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.