Splinter

Splinter is currently streaming in the US on Amazon Prime Video, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video, and its case-by-case structure never gets in the way of the bigger story. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 4/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Bill Fellows work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Splinter earns its spot. At its heart, Splinter understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Following the murder of his wife and son, an agoraphobic man becomes convinced that someone, or something is invading his home... Kindred is a tense psychological thriller set entirely inside the home of the protagonist. Bill Fellows and Michael McKell lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2022. What makes Splinter 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.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Splinter delivers. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Watch Bill Fellows work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.