The Counselor

Right now you can watch The Counselor in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the UK on Disney Plus — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 5/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Michael Fassbender sets the tone, and the ensemble matches it scene for scene. Start it on Disney Plus whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Counselor is worth clearing space for. At its heart, The Counselor understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A lawyer finds himself in far over his head when he attempts to get involved in drug trafficking. The writing gets a boost from Michael Fassbender and Penélope Cruz, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 2013. The plot mechanics of The Counselor never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. 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 The Counselor. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Michael Fassbender'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.