The Children Act

Skip the prestige-TV noise — The Children Act, in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and in the US on Netflix, is quietly one of the better ones. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Emma Thompson leads a cast that never overplays its hand. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Children Act is worth clearing space for. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — The Children Act earns every emotional beat it goes for. In the midst of a marital crisis, a High Court judge must decide if she should order a life-saving blood transfusion for a teen with cancer despite his family's refusal to accept medical treatment for religious reasons. Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. The Children Act came out in 2018. The performances in The Children Act do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with The Children Act. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Emma Thompson's work here is the kind that gets referenced in career retrospectives. It makes everything else feel thin by comparison.

The Children Act was released in 2018, directed by Richard Eyre. The full 105-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.