Murder by Decree

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Murder by Decree is available in the US on fuboTV and Darkroom, and in the UK on Sky Go and Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 177 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch Christopher Plummer work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on fuboTV.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Murder by Decree is worth clearing space for. The plotting gives Murder by Decree its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. Sherlock Holmes is drawn into the case of Jack the Ripper, who is killing prostitutes in London's East End. Assisted by Dr. Watson, and using information provided by a renowned psychic, Robert Lees, Holmes finds that the murders may have their roots in a Royal indiscretion and that a cover-up is being managed by politicians at the highest level, all of whom happen to be Masons. Credit to Christopher Plummer and James Mason for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. It hit screens in 1979. The plot mechanics of Murder by Decree never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Murder by Decree. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Christopher Plummer'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.

Murder by Decree was released in 1979, directed by Bob Clark. The full 124-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.