The Da Vinci Code

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, The Da Vinci Code is available in Australia on BINGE and Stan, and in the US on YouTube TV and USA Network right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 10,145 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Tom Hanks leads a cast that carries the story without ever feeling mechanical. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on BINGE.

The Da Vinci Code arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The plotting in The Da Vinci Code is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. A murder in Paris’ Louvre Museum and cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery. For 2,000 years a secret society closely guards information that — should it come to light — could rock the very foundations of Christianity. The writing gets a boost from Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 2006. The Da Vinci Code is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. 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 Da Vinci Code. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Watch Tom Hanks work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.