Body Double

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Body Double is available in the UK on BFI Player right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Craig Wasson sets the tone, and the ensemble matches it scene for scene. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on BFI Player.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Body Double is worth clearing space for. At its heart, Body Double understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. After losing an acting role and his girlfriend, Jake Scully finally catches a break: he gets offered a gig house-sitting in the Hollywood Hills. While peering through the beautiful home's telescope one night, he spies a gorgeous woman dancing in her window. But when he witnesses the girl's murder, it leads Scully through the netherworld of the adult entertainment industry on a search for answers—with porn actress Holly Body as his guide. The writing gets a boost from Craig Wasson and Melanie Griffith, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 1984. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Body Double 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 Body Double. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Watch Craig Wasson work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.