The Interview

The Interview has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. James Franco leads a cast with real comic timing. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The Interview is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Interview from the crowd. Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, they are recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into an assassination mission. Between them, James Franco and Seth Rogen carry the comedy without ever forcing it. It hit screens in 2014. The Interview earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Interview respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. James Franco sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.