Chinatown

Chinatown has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in the US on MGM Plus and Kanopy, and in the UK on Paramount Plus and Sky Go. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jack Nicholson sets the tone, and the ensemble matches it scene for scene. Put it on tonight on MGM Plus and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Chinatown earns its spot. At its heart, Chinatown understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Private eye Jake Gittes lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1974. Chinatown is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Chinatown. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch Jack Nicholson work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.