Apple TV+ has unleashed a gripping new crime drama, Dope Thief, that’s an absolute must-see for thriller aficionados, launching with a double-bill premiere that’s sure to hook viewers.
Every Friday, fresh episodes of the limited series featuring stars Bryan Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura hit the screens, plunging fans into a dark tale of criminal exploits and brutal gang rivalries.
The action-packed series unfolds with best mates Ray (played by Henry) and Manny (Moura) embarking on a risky charade as DEA agents to rip off unsuspecting drug peddlers.
But their plot spirals into pandemonium when they unintentionally steal from one of the most formidable underworld organisations in Philadelphia, triggering a perilous game of cat-and-mouse with both mobsters and the Feds hot on their trail.
Die-hard enthusiasts of Ridley Scott’s critically praised series shouldn’t miss out on diving into a selection of enthralling movies available for streaming without dishing out any extra dosh.
Yardie
Actor Idris Elba makes his directorial debut with Yardie, a film that’s taking the crime genre by storm and currently up for grabs on BBC iPlayer for crime drama devotees.
Starring Aml Ameen as Dennis “D” Campbell, we follow the Jamaican man through the ’70s who, after witnessing his brother’s murder, is thrust into London life only for his bygone days to haunt him a decade on.
Featuring Stephen Graham, well-known from celebrated drama Adolescence, in a pivotal role, Yardie has earned accolades from cinema buffs, with one Letterboxd user hailing it as a “perfect film” while another praises it as “a fantastic directorial debut” for Elba.
Yardie is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Gone Girl
The gripping crime drama Gone Girl, now over a decade old, remains as captivating today as it was upon its release in 2014.
Ben Affleck delivers a stellar performance as Nick Dunne, the husband of ‘Amazing’ Amy (played by Rosamund Pike), the muse for a popular children’s book series. Amy’s sudden disappearance triggers a media frenzy and all signs seem to point to Nick as the prime suspect.
Hailed as one of David Fincher’s finest directorial achievements, the film has garnered a plethora of five-star accolades from viewers. A Google review praises it: “The film is as meticulously crafted as anything.
“The characters in this twisty (and twisted) script dream up (no spoilers here), and the unhurried pace, relentlessly mounting tension, and spot-on performances will keep you watching till the end.”
Gone Girl is available to stream on ITVX.
Sicario
Moving on to another heart-stopping thriller, Sicario should be on the watchlist of any Dope Thief enthusiast. Directed by the acclaimed Denis Villeneuve of Dune fame and penned by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, this film delves into the grim realities of the Mexican drug trade.
Emily Blunt shines as FBI agent Kate Macer who joins forces with CIA operative Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and the enigmatic hitman Alejandro Gillick (Benicio Del Toro) on a mission to dismantle a formidable cartel.
Sicario is often listed among Villeneuve’s most impressive works and is a must-see for fans of the celebrated crime series Narcos.
A Letterboxd user encapsulates the experience: “Pretty much just held my breath for two hours straight what a RIDE.”
One fan enthused: “This was absolutely epic, a lot better than I was expecting it to be, I was all set to give it 4 and a half stars then I thought, what could it have actually done any better?
“The answer I came to was nothing, from the first scene to the last this is a white knuckle ride full of tension and suspense, there were a few scenes where I was actually holding my breath.”
Sicario is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Bad Lieutenant
Step into the murky world of Bad Lieutenant, Abel Ferrara’s cult classic. This dark thriller echoes the story of Dope Thief, where two friends sink deep into corruption within Philly’s drug scene.
Starring Harvey Keitel as a New York cop battling his own demons of cocaine and gambling addiction while seeking redemption during a harrowing case, Bad Lieutenant is a stark portrayal of decay and the quest for atonement.
A relentless Letterboxd user gave it five stars, asserting: “Ferrara at his rudest and crudest best. It goes without saying that this isn’t for everyone. Keitel’s character has no redeeming virtues – he’s everything you don’t wanna cop to be – and he’s only going downhill further.
“Yet you care about him and can’t take your eyes away even if Ferrara takes him deeper and deeper into despair.
“This is certainly one of Keitel’s best performances, brilliantly embodying all the physical and spiritual pain life has to offer.”
Bad Lieutenant is available to stream on ITVX.
Training Day
Watch officers bend the rules in Training Day.
Film buffs hail Antoine Fuqua’s gripping film as one of the greatest police dramas ever made, and with good reason.
Ethan Hawke delivers a compelling performance as Jake Hoyt, a greenhorn LAPD officer who is teamed up with the notorious narcotics detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) for a day-long evaluation to see if he has what it takes to join the drug squad.
The rookie quickly finds himself in over his head as he uncovers Alonzo’s shady dealings and gets entangled in a dangerous skirmish with Russian gangsters.
One enthusiastic five-star Google review stated: “In my opinion this is Denzel’s best performance.
“Not that they are not all amazing but this particular character and his acting combine to make one of the best movies of all-time.”
Training Day is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.