Mulholland Drive

Mulholland Drive is currently streaming in Australia on Stan and MUBI, and in the UK on Sky Go and STUDIOCANAL PRESENTS Apple TV Channel, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 7,116 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Naomi Watts's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Mulholland Drive is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. At its heart, Mulholland Drive understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Blonde Betty Elms has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with amnesia. Meanwhile, as the two set off to solve the second woman's identity, filmmaker Adam Kesher runs into ominous trouble while casting his latest project. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring lead a cast that gives the tension real weight. Mulholland Drive came out in 2001. Mulholland Drive is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Mulholland Drive. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Watch Naomi Watts work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.