Brazen (2022)

Brazen is the kind of glossy, page-turner thriller that knows exactly what it wants to be: a fast, slightly pulpy mystery with a wink of camp and enough momentum to keep you pressing play “just for one more scene.” Alyssa Milano gives it a confident center as a mystery writer who can’t help but treat real life like a case file, and the film’s sleek, made-for-a-cozy-night-in vibe makes the darker turns feel more like heightened suspense than grim realism. It’s not a whodunit that’s trying to reinvent the genre—some beats are delightfully predictable—but if you’re in the mood for a fun, lightly dramatic thriller with a dash of unintentional humor and a steady stream of clues, it hits that guilty-pleasure sweet spot. If you prefer your mysteries gritty or deeply surprising, this may not convert you, but as a slick, snackable ride, it’s easy to enjoy.

Brazen is clearly trying to be a slick, pulpy Netflix thriller: a murder mystery with a provocative hook, a headstrong amateur sleuth, and a dash of romance to keep things moving. The problem is it plays like a paint-by-numbers procedural, with twists you’ll see coming early and writing that leans more on convenient reveals than genuinely clever investigation. The pacing can feel oddly sluggish for a story built around urgency, and the finale aims for “shocking” but lands closer to “of course it’s that.” If you want a cozy, low-effort mystery with glossy vibes and Alyssa Milano doing her best to sell the material, you might be fine; if you’re craving sharp plotting, real suspense, or anything remotely unpredictable, this likely isn’t worth your time.