Menace II Society

Menace II Society has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in the US on Starz Apple TV Channel. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Tyrin Turner work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Put it on tonight on Starz Apple TV Channel and see for yourself.

Menace II Society is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Menace II Society treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life. The writing gets a boost from Tyrin Turner and Larenz Tate, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 1993. Menace II Society 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.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Menace II Society delivers. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Tyrin Turner anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.