To Die For

To Die For has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on Netflix, and in the UK on ITVX Premium. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 894 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Nicole Kidman — stay for everyone else around them. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, To Die For is worth clearing space for. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate To Die For from the crowd. Suzanne Stone wants to be a world-famous news anchor and she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. What she lacks in intelligence, she makes up for in cold determination and diabolical wiles. As she pursues her goal with relentless focus, she is forced to destroy anything and anyone that may stand in her way, regardless of the ultimate cost or means necessary. Nicole Kidman and Matt Dillon lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1995. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and To Die For holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in To Die For. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Nicole Kidman's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.