The Last King of Scotland

Right now you can watch The Last King of Scotland in Australia on Disney Plus — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. 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 2,387 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Watch it for Forest Whitaker — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Last King of Scotland earns its spot. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — The Last King of Scotland earns every emotional beat it goes for. Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to become his personal doctor. Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2006. The writing trusts the audience to sit with ambiguity rather than wrapping everything up in a tidy conclusion — it is the approach that separates good drama from great. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For anyone looking for storytelling that takes its characters seriously, The Last King of Scotland delivers. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Forest Whitaker's work here is the kind that gets referenced in career retrospectives. It makes everything else feel thin by comparison.