First Kill

Right now you can watch First Kill in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Philo, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Bruce Willis work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, First Kill earns its spot. At its heart, First Kill understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A police chief tries to solve a kidnapping that involves a bank robber holding a young boy hostage. The writing gets a boost from Bruce Willis and Hayden Christensen, who sell every scene they're in. It hit screens in 2017. First Kill 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.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, First Kill will keep you hooked. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Bruce Willis's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.