Network

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Network is available in Australia on MGM Amazon Channel, and in the UK on MGM Plus Amazon Channel right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Faye Dunaway leads a cast that never overplays its hand. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on MGM Amazon Channel.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Network is worth clearing space for. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — Network earns every emotional beat it goes for. When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings. Faye Dunaway and William Holden lead a cast that treats the material with real seriousness. Network came out in 1976. Network resists tidy resolutions in a way that respects how messy real consequences actually are. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

For anyone looking for storytelling that takes its characters seriously, Network delivers. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Faye Dunaway carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.