The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in Australia on HBO Max. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 1,898 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Humphrey Bogart sets the tone, and the ensemble matches it scene for scene. Available now on HBO Max — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Maltese Falcon earns its spot. The plotting gives The Maltese Falcon its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1941. The plot mechanics of The Maltese Falcon never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, The Maltese Falcon delivers. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Watch Humphrey Bogart work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.