Bright

Right now you can watch Bright in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix — and it goes further with its ideas than most genre entertainment bothers to. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 6,001 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Will Smith sets the tone, and the world-building does the rest. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Bright earns its spot. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Bright through its more ambitious moments. In an alternate present-day where magical creatures live among us, two L.A. Cops become embroiled in a prophesied turf battle. Will Smith and Joel Edgerton lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. Bright came out in 2017. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Bright is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Will Smith's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.