(Credit: Netflix)

Netflix pulled a rabbit out of its hat this week with the shortest departure arc ever. But don’t assume that it will maintain this streaming bliss once the calendar turns the page. September will not let you rest easy in any way. So, before time runs out, tune into American Gangster one last time.

Ridley Scott’s 2007 crime film, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, is set to depart from Netflix on September 1st, alongside a slew of high-profile Hollywood titles. And if you’re still derailing that precious rewatch, it’s time to grab the popcorn.

American Gangster is roughly based on the life of crime of Frank Lucas, a notorious gangster hailing from La Grange, North Carolina. It revolves around his infamous track of heroin trafficking into the US via Vietnam War servicemen, which was impounded by Newark detective and aspiring advocate Richie Roberts and his special task force.

The film, steeped in controversy and legal holdbacks, was nominated for a whopping 21 awards. And to date, it’s considered a daring masterpiece strutting with its head held high in Hollywood’s hall of fame. From Washington and Crowe’s outstanding performance to Scott’s applaudable execution, the gangster movie is a complete Hollywood package.

But for those wondering why American Gangster should be on your watchlist instead of others who are also counting their last days on Netflix, here’s why. For one, although the film relies on familiar tropes of the genre, like the rise and decline of a criminal and their face-off with law enforcement, Scott doesn’t limit Lucas’s criminal career exploration to just that. He equally borrows and discards elements of the genre, making way for a compelling and immersive watch.

It sheds light on the importance of family, his surpassing of the Italian-American mafia, and his monopoly in the trade that earned him the reputation of a kingpin. American Gangster is rooted in reality, well, mostly. It is rich in details. At the heart of the movie is the fragmented concept of the quintessential American Dream. But what truly blows the mind is just how visually rich the film is despite being a plot-heavy storytelling.

Scott has nailed the period detail, and the thematic combination of ambition and corruption very well fits the bill of modern cinematic history. Don’t mistake it for just another crime drama in Netflix’s catalogue of haunting whodunits because this is a powerful real-life story that continues to fascinate people in contemporary times. Plus, this is one of those Hollywood movies that isn’t easily accessible in the streaming landscape.

So, while it’s available, make the most of your opportunity because the next time, you might have to empty your pocket when you crave a rewatch. While Netflix original productions are always worth the subscription, these historic gems streaming on Netflix, albeit with a limited time period, make the money spent all the more worthwhile.