Space Cowboys

Right now you can watch Space Cowboys in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and in the UK on HBO Max Amazon Channel — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. With 1,542 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Clint Eastwood's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Space Cowboys is worth clearing space for. The plotting in Space Cowboys is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. Frank Corvin, ‘Hawk’ Hawkins, Jerry O'Neill and ‘Tank’ Sullivan were hotdog members of Project Daedalus, the US Air Force's test program for space travel, but their hopes were dashed in 1958 with the formation of NASA and the use of trained chimps. They blackmail their way into orbit when Russia's mysterious ‘Ikon’ communications satellite's orbit begins to degrade and threatens to crash to Earth. Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2000. Space Cowboys 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.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Space Cowboys. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Clint Eastwood 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.