Redline

Redline is currently streaming in Australia on Hoopla, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 166 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Nathan Phillips anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Start it on Hoopla whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Redline is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The plotting gives Redline its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. A gorgeous young automobile fanatic--and front to the hottest unsigned band on the West Coast--finds herself caught up in illegal drag-racing competitions organized by exotic car fanatics. Nathan Phillips and Nadia Bjorlin lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2007. Redline is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Redline. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Nathan Phillips 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.