(Credits: Netflix)

Monday nights, Friday nights, honestly, any night, the hardest decision is always what to watch. Scroll too long, and suddenly it’s midnight, and you are still staring at that endless Netflix catalogue. So, for once, let’s cut the noise. If you only have time (and energy) for one film tonight, let it be Tick, Tick… Boom!

This 2021 release is not just another musical. It is one of those films that sneaks up on you. It will make you laugh in one scene and immediately tear up in the next. Sometimes, a brain-dead enjoyment is all we long for at the end of a hard day, but this picture demands your attention and will reward you with a truly heartfelt moment you can cherish.

Lin-Manuel Miranda directs and brings the genius he displayed in Hamilton to the fore. Taking on Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical and moving it softly into the 21st century. Larson was himself a dab hand on Broadway, bringing Rent to the masses and reminding the world of the minority being torn apart by the AIDS epidemic. But the movie focuses not on this but hsi struggles to make it.

And then there’s Andrew Garfield. He is the reason Tick, Tick… Boom! works as beautifully as it does. It might have been easy for Garfield to phone this in. He could have taken a few singing lessons and movement classes and been just about OK. However, known for his dedication, he truly embodies both the character and the sincerity with which he lives and breathes the theatre.

Now, don’t let the word “musical” scare you off. This is not your regular show-tunes-and-sparkles type of film. It can feel almost embarrassing when a character cuts away to liberally belt out a tune about a disappointment. This show is different, these songs never feel forced, and instead, they unfurl like extensions of the story, like inner monologues that just happen to come with melodies. Tracks like ’30/90′ or ‘Why’ hit you in the gut with the force of a 300-pound heavyweight, while ‘Sunday’ is a shining glimmer of playful brilliance. Even if musicals aren’t your thing, you will find yourself humming along or Googling the soundtrack after the credits roll.

What makes this film the perfect pick for tonight, though, is the balance it strikes. It is entertaining, but it also has heart. It is ambitious, but it will not exhaust you. And most importantly, it makes you feel like you are watching someone chase a dream with everything they have got. At many points in the film, you will find yourself living the story.

Tick, Tick… Boom! is not your regular background noise film. It is not something you half-watch while scrolling your phone. It pulls you in and demands your attention.

So if you’re done debating and want a Netflix film that will actually make your night worth it, don’t overthink it. Skip the scrolling, skip the endless “maybe this one.” Tonight, the only movie you need to watch on Netflix is Tick, Tick… Boom!