Spectre

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Spectre is available in Australia on MGM Amazon Channel, and in the UK on MGM Plus Amazon Channel right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Daniel Craig's performance alone is worth the time investment. Start it on MGM Amazon Channel whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Spectre earns its spot. At its heart, Spectre understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz lead a cast that never lets the mystery feel thin. It was released in 2015. What makes Spectre hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. 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 Spectre. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Daniel Craig's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.