My Rating: 3.93/4 (aka Must see twisty thriller)

One line summary: A lawyer tries to unravel the truth behind a murder.

The Deets: I think I can safely say that Hirokazu Koreeda is my favorite film director; I have now seen seven of his movies and each one is simply a work of art (more reviews to come). This is no exception, and a surprising departure in theme from many of his others, which focus on variations on the family (“Shoplifters” and “Broker” being two prime examples) – knowing those, you wouldn’t expect him to make a movie about a murder mystery. And then as you watch, you realize it’s really not about the murder itself, but really all of the surrounding elements and motives and relationships that each of the characters is struggling to cultivate or maintain. The deliberate and beautiful camera work tells the story visually as well, and we are left in a nearly dreamy state, believing we know what happened factually and probably why.

Perfect for: Anyone who already loves the films of Koreeda, and if you enjoy slow but satisfying mystery thrillers.

Where to watch: You can catch it on Apple TV, YouTube, or via a subscription in Amazon Prime.

Food pairing: Sushi hand rolls.