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When we talk about streaming culture, we’re usually enthusing about what’s new, but one of the best things about streaming is how it’s made old and obscure cult hits available to a new generation. Presenting Cult Corner: your weekly look into hidden gems and long-lost curiosities that you can find on streaming.
In a very short amount of time, Netflix has become the streaming home for excellent crime dramas from all around the world. Though one of the streaming service’s latest acquisitions, OCTB, doesn’t have the patented Netflix name attached to it, it still stands as a remarkable entry into this subgenre. If you love police thrillers but love Chinese entertainment from the ’80s and ’90s even more, you’re probably going to be a fan of OCTB.
The series takes place during the final years of Hong Kong’s rule under Britain and follows an undercover detective who has to infiltrate the underworld mafia. There are back-stabbings and epic shootouts galore as Phoenix (Jordan Chan) tries to bring down a criminal syndicate from the inside out. As someone who has little experience with Hong Kong entertainment, OCTB was a perfectly fine if occasionally fun watch. Neither the sets nor the camera angles were as gorgeous as what you might see on typical American networks, but there’s a levity to the series that many American dramas miss. Tonally, it feels as if OCTB is shooting more for exciting than brooding, which is honestly a pleasant change. Despite their subject matter, not all crime dramas need to be downers.
However, after doing some research on the show, I found the big reason why OCTB is worth checking out. According to a few dedicated bloggers, OCTB watches as a who’s who of impressive talent from ’80s and ’90s Hong Kong entertainment. The main cast includes Jordan Chan, Danny Chan, Sam Lee, Alan Kuo, Ken Wong, Samuel Pang, Rose Chan and Justin Cheung.
Overall, OCTB isn’t the best crime drama I’ve ever watched, but it’s also not the worst. It’s a perfectly fine show that likes to embrace its sillier side sometimes but always seems to have a passionate and authentic respect for its genre. If you’re feeling adventurous when it comes to your Netflix binges, throw on some subtitles and check out OCTB. Each episode lasts roughly 45 minutes, and there are only 30 episodes. If you’re really dedicated, you can knock out this show in no time.
