Dante's Peak

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Dante's Peak is available in Australia on Disney Plus and Paramount+ Amazon Channel, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Starz Apple TV Channel right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. With 2,115 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Pierce Brosnan anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Dante's Peak is worth clearing space for. Dante's Peak treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. Volcanologist Harry Dalton comes to the sleepy town of Dante's Peak to investigate the recent rumblings of the dormant volcano the burg is named for. Before long, his worst fears are realized when a massive eruption hits, and immediately, Harry, the mayor and the townspeople find themselves fighting for their lives amid a catastrophic nightmare. The writing gets a boost from Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 1997. Dante's Peak is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find Dante's Peak proves them wrong. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Watch Pierce Brosnan work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.