Credit: Netflix

Did you know Fast Charlie is based on Victor Gischler’s 2001 crime novel Gun Monkeys? Now, be honest, Gun Monkeys sounds like the sort of title you’d expect from a completely different film altogether, but that book eventually became Fast Charlie, a Pierce Brosnan crime thriller that’s found itself a whole new audience on Netflix once again.

The film has climbed into Netflix US’s Top 10, which isn’t bad going for a 2023 crime thriller in 2026. Most films experience a brief period of popularity, only to fade into obscurity and resurface years later when someone discovers them out of the blue. Fast Charlie seems to be doing the opposite. Loads of people are discovering it right now, and once you look at who’s in it, you can see why.

First off, you’ve got Pierce Brosnan leading the film. Then there is Morena Baccarin. And on top of that, you’ve got James Caan in what turned out to be the legendary actor’s final screen performance. Suddenly, this isn’t just another Netflix film, is it?

The story follows Charlie Swift, a veteran hitman who has spent years working for New Orleans mob boss Stan Mullen. Charlie is the sort of fella who has seen everything. Nothing rattles him anymore. Well… that’s the case until a routine job turns into a complete nightmare.

A target gets taken out, but proving it becomes a problem after Charlie’s partner manages to destroy the evidence they needed. What should’ve been a straightforward job turns into a massive headache, and Charlie ends up scrambling around trying to sort out a mess that just becomes worse.

That’s where Marcie Kramer comes into the story, played by Morena Baccarin. Marcie is the ex-wife of the dead target, and initially, it starts like an arrangement between her and Charlie but soon turns into one of the best parts of the film. They are completely different people, both caught in the same dangerous situation. It’s quite entertaining!

Then, as you’d expect, everything goes pear-shaped. A rival gangster called Beggar Mercado decides it’s time to wipe out Charlie’s entire operation. Before you know, Charlie’s not dealing with one problem anymore. He’s stuck in the middle of a war. And that’s exactly where the real film begins.

But if we are being honest, the biggest reason people seem to be connecting with it is Pierce Brosnan. At this stage of his career, he has got this knack for playing characters with an aura. And by that we mean the kind of dope characters who’d enjoy a smoke on the deck while the Titanic is sinking.

Hi, Charlie isn’t out saving the world. He’s not uncovering some government conspiracy. He’s just a career criminal trying to get through the worst week of his life. Pierce Brosnan has made Charlie feel a lot more interesting than your typical action hero.

Also, some credit goes to the director Phillip Noyce, whose credits include Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and Salt… He made sure the film was tight. And it is. It comes in at around ninety minutes.

Maybe that’s exactly why Netflix viewers are taking to it now. Not every thriller needs a massive franchise, six sequels, and three spin-offs. Sometimes all you need is Pierce Brosnan and a handful of dangerous criminals.