The Shack

Right now you can watch The Shack in Australia on Stan, and in the US on Netflix and YouTube TV — and the writing holds up regardless of the format's reputation. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 2,267 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch it in order — the character development is cumulative. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Stan.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Shack is worth clearing space for. The Shack has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. A grieving man receives a mysterious, personal invitation to meet with God at a place called 'The Shack'. Every line from Sam Worthington and Octavia Spencer lands with more craft than you'd expect. The Shack came out in 2017. The Shack uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Animation fans will appreciate the craft, but The Shack works for viewers who do not typically seek out animation too. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Visually distinctive and narratively ambitious in ways that hold up regardless of format. Worth watching in order from the beginning.