3 Underrated Prime Video Movies to Watch This Weekend (August 22-24): ‘Red Dragon’ and More

It’s all about action and thrills on Prime Video at the end of August.

While the streamer just debuted a new original movie, The Map That Leads to You, Watch With Us prefers to dig into some of Prime Video’s older titles.

Among the underrated movies worth watching this weekend are The Silence of the Lambs prequel Red Dragon with Anthony Hopkins, the action thriller Haywire with Michael Fassbender and the real-life political drama Fair Game with Naomi Watts.

All three films are guaranteed to entertain you as you think about returning to school or ponder Taylor Swift’s new, revealing album covers.

‘Red Dragon’ (2002)

You’ve seen The Silence of the Lambs, but have you watched Red Dragon? The star-studded prequel brings back Anthony Hopkins’ boogeyman Hannibal Lecter for a twisted new take involving a new serial killer who is somehow more terrifying than Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine).

FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) needs Lecter’s help in snagging a serial killer named the “Tooth Fairy” who kills entire families during full moons. With another full moon fast approaching, Will becomes increasingly desperate, which allows Lecter to fully exploit the situation. If Will’s not careful, he could inadvertently free a dangerous sociopath while trying to catch another.

Is Red Dragon as good as Silence? No, of course not — few films are. But it’s a decent serial killer thriller with a great cast that includes Mary-Louise Parker as Will’s increasingly stressed-out wife and Emily Watson as a potential Tooth Fairy victim. Best of all is Conclave’s Ralph Fiennes as the murderer everyone wants to catch; he’s creepy in ways that startle Lecter, and that’s saying a lot.

Red Dragon is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Haywire’ (2012)

Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) is a black ops specialist who works for an organization that helps people out of difficult situations. Yet Mallory soon finds herself in her own pickle when she is set up for a client’s murder. On the run, Mallory must discover who wants her in jail — or worse — and why. All clues lead back to Kenneth (Ewan McGregor), her ex-lover and head of the organization, but is he guilty? Or is there something — or someone — more sinister lurking in the shadows?

Haywire is an enjoyably pulpy B-action movie that’s packed with A-list stars like McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Channing Tatum and more. As Haywire’s hardened heroine, Carano kicks ass with the best of them; you can see her taking on Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow and easily winning. The movie’s climactic battle on a beach is wonderfully satisfying and gives one character a comeuppance they richly deserve.

Haywire is streaming on Prime Video.

‘Fair Game’ (2010)

No, we’re not recommending the Cindy Crawford action movie of the same name from 1995. As hilariously bad as that movie is, we’re suggesting you check out 2010’s Fair Game, which is based on an incredible — and infuriating — true story. Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts) works for the CIA and is married to Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn), a diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Gabon. When Joseph writes a New York Times op-ed about America’s involvement in the Iraq War, seemingly using information he could’ve only obtained via his wife’s CIA connections, it proves to be disastrous for both of them.

Fair Game is a fascinating portrait of two lives where the political and the personal become intertwined, much to the detriment of both husband and wife. Valerie loses her job and faces unwanted public scrutiny while Joseph realizes his actions have alienated his wife.

Both Penn and Watts are convincing as a power couple who find out their relationship is both weaker and stronger than they once thought. Fair Game is also a fascinating snapshot of a time in politics when ethical concerns about the integrity of the White House were of interest to both sides of the ideological spectrum. Imagine that.

Fair Game is streaming on Prime Video.