Sommersby

Right now you can watch Sommersby in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the UK on Disney Plus — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jodie Foster's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Sommersby earns its spot. The plotting in Sommersby is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. Set in the South just after the US Civil War, Laurel Sommersby is just managing to work the farm without her husband, believed killed in battle. By all accounts, Jack Sommersby was not a pleasant man, thus when he suddenly returns, Laurel has mixed emotions. It appears that Jack has changed a great deal, leading some people to believe that this is not actually Jack but an imposter. Credit to Jodie Foster and Richard Gere for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. Sommersby came out in 1993. Sommersby is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, Sommersby will keep you hooked. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jodie Foster carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.