Warcraft

Warcraft is currently streaming in Australia on Netflix and BINGE, and in the US on Netflix, and it earns its premise rather than just borrowing genre trappings. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 7,325 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Travis Fimmel leads a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Warcraft earns its spot. Warcraft uses its genre premise as cover for asking bigger questions. The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people, and their home. Travis Fimmel and Paula Patton lead a cast that makes the ambitious moments land. It was released in 2016. What separates Warcraft from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give Warcraft a chance. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Watch for Travis Fimmel in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.