Revolver

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Revolver is available in Australia on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and in the UK on ITVX Premium right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 1,566 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Jason Statham leads a cast that carries the story without ever feeling mechanical. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Revolver earns its spot. Revolver treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. Hotshot gambler Jake Green is long on bravado and seriously short of common sense. Rarely is he allowed in any casino because he's a bona fide winner and, in fact, has taken so much money over the years that he's the sole client of his accountant elder brother, Billy. Invited to a private game, Jake is in fear of losing his life. Jason Statham and Ray Liotta lead a cast that gives the tension real weight. It was released in 2005. The plot mechanics of Revolver 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 Revolver. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jason Statham carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.