The Gunman

Right now you can watch The Gunman in Australia on Stan, and in the US on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 1,045 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Sean Penn's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Stan — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason The Gunman keeps coming up in conversation. At its heart, The Gunman understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Eight years after fleeing the Congo following his assassination of that country's minister of mining, former assassin Jim Terrier is back, suffering from PTSD and digging wells to atone for his violent past. After an attempt is made on his life, Terrier flies to London to find out who wants him dead -- and why. Terrier's search leads him to a reunion with Annie, a woman he once loved, who is now married to an oily businessman with dealings in Africa. Sean Penn and Jasmine Trinca lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2015. The plot mechanics of The Gunman never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. 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, The Gunman delivers. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Watch Sean Penn work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.