Body of Evidence

Body of Evidence is currently streaming in the US on Kanopy, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 5/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Madonna anchors it, but the writing does the real work. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Kanopy.

There is a reason Body of Evidence keeps coming up in conversation. The plotting gives Body of Evidence its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. When an elderly millionaire is found dead with cocaine in his system, his will leaves $8 million to Rebecca Carlson, who was having an affair with him. District attorney Robert Garrett decides to prosecute Rebecca, arguing that she deliberately engaged in wild sex with the old man to overexcite him and lead to his premature death. Defense attorney Frank Dulaney defends Rebecca in court while getting sucked into a dangerous affair with her. Madonna and Willem Dafoe lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1993. What makes Body of Evidence hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, Body of Evidence will keep you hooked. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Madonna anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.