This ‘Certified Fresh’ Denzel Washington Thriller Is Now Streaming on Netflix!
Denzel Washington has a soothing screen presence. Even when he plays a morally reprehensible character, he does so with an abundance of nuance and depth, making even his most vile screen roles relatable on some level. That’s probably why the Oscar-winning actor is widely considered one of the greatest thespians of his generation.
Speaking of Washington’s most vile screen roles, a critically acclaimed picture from the ‘00s that features a decidedly villainous turn by the beloved actor is now available for Netflix subscribers to stream. Three cheers for that!
A critical darling and a fan favorite
If you haven’t already pieced it together, I am talking about American Gangster. The 2007 thriller was a hit with critics and cinephiles alike. In fact, American Gangster is ‘certified fresh’ on the popular aggregate review website Rotten Tomatoes. What’s more, the flick sits at a well-above-average rating of 3.8/5 on Letterboxd. High praise all around.
So, if you’re looking to scratch your Denzel Washington itch and would like to see the versatile actor take on a somewhat rare villainous turn, you know what to do. Head over to Netflix and stream that s–t!
In addition to Washington, the film’s impressive cast includes fellow Oscar winner Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, and Ted Levine.
Ridley Scott helmed the picture from a script written by Steven Zaillian. Zaillian adapted the screen treatment from the New York magazine article “The Return of Superfly.” Journalist and author Mark Jacobson penned the piece in question.
Fun fact: The film utilizes over 180 different shooting locations, which reportedly set a record for the highest number contained in a single picture. Now that’s ambition.
The setup for this Denzel Washington thriller goes like this:
Harlem drug dealer Frank Lucas (Washington) rises to power in corrupt 1970s New York, equalling and surpassing the notorious Mafia families with the reach of his empire. On the other side of the law, honest cop Richie Roberts (Crowe) dedicates himself to taking down `the most dangerous man walking the streets’. Lucas acts with impunity, smuggling heroin into the US in the coffins of American soldiers killed in Vietnam.
That’s all we have for you at present, dear reader. Please be sure to stay tuned to Dread Central for more cool updates on which films are available to stream on your favorite platforms. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter (X) so you never miss out on an exciting update.
Categorized:News
