Sliver

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Sliver is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the UK on Netflix right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Sharon Stone work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Sliver is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. At its heart, Sliver understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A woman moves into a Manhattan apartment, where she learns that the previous tenant's life ended under mysterious circumstances. Sharon Stone and William Baldwin lead a cast that never lets the mystery feel thin. Sliver came out in 1993. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Sliver passes that test consistently. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Sliver delivers. 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. Sharon Stone 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.