Earthquake

Earthquake has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in Australia on Foxtel Now, and in the US on YouTube TV. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 368 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Charlton Heston's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Foxtel Now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason Earthquake keeps coming up in conversation. At its heart, Earthquake understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Various interconnected people struggle to survive when an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude hits Los Angeles, California. Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1974. What makes Earthquake hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Earthquake delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Watch Charlton Heston work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.