The 33

The 33 has built a devoted audience in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV among viewers who want their drama to earn its emotional beats. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 996 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Antonio Banderas's performance alone is worth the time investment. Start it on Netflix whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The 33 is worth clearing space for. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — The 33 earns every emotional beat it goes for. Based on the true story of the collapse of a mine in San Jose, Chile—that left 33 miners isolated underground for 69 days. Antonio Banderas and Rodrigo Santoro lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2015. The performances in The 33 do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with The 33. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Antonio Banderas's work here is the kind that gets referenced in career retrospectives. It makes everything else feel thin by comparison.