This Denzel Washington Crime Thriller Just Hit #7 on Netflix

First, I saw Denzel Washington 's box office hit, The Equalizer 3 , break streaming records on Netflix. Then, I saw the resurgence of the entire Equalizer franchise‚ with the first installment gaining over 3.5 million views on the streaming service. In April, Washington struck again when his serial killer thriller, The Little Things , soared to the top spot on Netflix's top ten list. And now, once again, the legendary actor is back in the Netflix ranks—this time with a gritty crime thriller.

Allow me to introduce one of my personal favorites: Ridley Scott's American Gangster , which is now the seventh most-watched movie on Netflix. It tells the true story of Frank Lucas (Washington), a drug lord who rose in power after smuggling shipments of heroin into the U.S. through soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. It's a captivating story with solid performances all around, but what I love most is how it explores themes like police corruption, the realities of the drug trade and the pursuit of the American Dream.

The film has plenty to say about the dark side of American success, and per usual, Washington steals every scene he's in. In fact, his brilliant portrayal of Frank is especially interesting because of the stark contrast between his private and professional life.

Referring to Frank's dynamic with Detective Richie Roberts in the film, who's played by Russell Crowe, Washington told Rotten Tomatoes , "It was as much about the two characters. That one man appears to be so straight and honest in his police work [and] is so dishonest in his private life. Another man who seems to be so dishonest in his work life is so honest in his private life. And how these two guys came together and actually, to this day, are still friends. I thought it was an excellent opportunity to work with a great actor again and, actually, a great filmmaker."

Universal Pictures

Written by Steven Zaillian, the biopic features a star-studded cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Brolin, Idris Elba, Joe Morton, Ruby Dee and Ted Levine. It earned two Academy Award nominations (one for Best Art Direction, one for Best Supporting Actress for Dee), five BAFTA Award nominations and three Golden Globe nods. Dee also scored a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

I may be biased, but given this movie's insightful approach to such a complex story, I highly recommend you add this one to your list.

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