Don’t skip these hidden gems on Amazon Prime Video this weekend [August 29-31]

There are plenty of movies and shows on Amazon Prime Video that don’t get the attention they deserve. If you’re looking for something fresh, these hidden gems are perfect for streaming over the weekend.

This Australian television crime drama stars Thomas Jane and Nicole Cahmoun, and spans a total of three seasons. The story, which is based on a book called Crimson Lake, follows a disgraced ex-cop (played by Thomas Jane) who is falsely accused of a crime. To escape, he retreats to Far North Queensland.

There, he meets an eccentric private investigator (played by Cahmoun), who successfully ropes him into solving her first case—the mysterious disappearance of a renowned Korean tech entrepreneur. The story is good, but what really stood out to me was the acting, which is exceptional. All in all, it kept me hooked until the very end, and it’s an excellent cozy crime show for when you want mystery without the nightmares.

Starring Alfred Molina, Rossif Sutherland, and Anna Lambe, to name a few, Three Pines is a gripping mystery crime drama. The series follows Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team as they investigate multiple murders in the Eastern Township village of Three Pines.

Gamache and his team receive a lukewarm welcome from the residents, but he feels drawn to the community nonetheless. Over time, he uncovers multiple long-buried secrets and truths, and each of these revelations brings him closer to solving the murders. I wouldn’t say this series is groundbreaking, but it’s a solid story that’s elevated by Alfred Molina’s stellar performance. And with just one season (so far) and eight episodes, it’s the perfect show to binge over the weekend.

If you like period dramas, El Cid is a must-watch. Set in medieval Castile, the series follows Ruy Díaz de Vivar (played by Jaime Lorente), who serves as a squire to Sancho, the future King of León and Castile. Naturally skilled at combat, Ruy quickly rises in the ranks and earns the trust and respect of his fellow soldiers and Sancho.

But his world changes when he uncovers a plot to overthrow the King (Sancho’s father). He also learns that his own grandfather, Rodrigo, is involved in the plot. Ruy now has to navigate the corruption and secrets of the royal court, all while trying to protect his family’s honor.

While I really enjoy period dramas, I’ve found that writers sometimes try to stay true to history to the point where their storytelling feels dry. On the other hand, some take so many creative liberties that the plot feels entirely disconnected from reality. El Cid strikes a solid balance between these two extremes. It weaved in plenty of drama and intrigue, without changing core historical events too much, and that made this show both entertaining and believable.

The Night of the Hunter is one of the movies on Prime Video that you may not have heard of but should certainly watch. What’s surprising is that when this movie first premiered in 1955, it opened to negative reviews. Today, though, The Night of the Hunter is celebrated and considered one of the best movies ever made.

The story is centered on Rev. Harry Powell, a serial killer and religious fanatic. He gets arrested for driving a stolen car and ends up sharing a cell with a murderer who tells him about a hidden stash of money. He doesn’t reveal the location of the fortune, though. Once the preacher is released from prison, he hunts down his former cellmate’s widow and children to get the money.

He manages to successfully manipulate his way into the family by marrying the widow, but his mask of charm slowly begins to slip as he realizes the children won’t tell him where the money is hidden. What follows is a series of tense confrontations—some of which end in shocking violence.

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a psychological drama that explores the troubled relationship between Eve (played by Tilda Swinton) and her incarcerated son, Kevin (played by Ezra Miller). Eve reflects on Kevin’s early life and childhood, piecing together all her memories of him antagonizing her and displaying increasingly disturbing behavior.

Right before his 16th birthday, Kevin ends up murdering several of his classmates with his bow and arrows. He also kills his father and younger sister, leaving Eve as the sole survivor. This movie explores how Eve deals with her sense of guilt and grief, and she struggles to come to terms with what her son did.

Whether you like slow-burn thrillers that will keep you hooked for weeks or light comedies that aren’t too long, Prime Video’s extensive library has options for every mood. Give these hidden gems a try the next time you’re looking for something new to watch on the platform.