Murder by Contract

This week's sharpest crime pick in the US on Fawesome is Murder by Contract. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 103 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Vince Edwards anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Start it on Fawesome whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Murder by Contract is worth clearing space for. The plotting gives Murder by Contract its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. Claude is a ruthless and efficient contract killer. His next target, a woman, is the most difficult. The writing gets a boost from Vince Edwards and Phillip Pine, who sell every scene they're in. Murder by Contract came out in 1958. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Murder by Contract passes that test consistently. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, Murder by Contract will keep you hooked. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Vince Edwards 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.

Murder by Contract was released in 1958, directed by Irving Lerner. The full 81-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.