Bright

In an alternate present day Los Angeles where magical beings live openly alongside people, two cops from opposite ends of the social spectrum team up to chase a dangerous lead. Daryl Ward, a seasoned human detective, is paired with Nick Jakoby, an Orc on the force who faces prejudice from colleagues and criminals alike. When a routine night crosses into a citywide power struggle that seems foretold by a rare artifact, the pair must improvise, outmaneuver corrupt rivals, and decide how far they’re willing to go to protect a city that fears their alliance. The case tests loyalty, skill, and what it means to do right in a fractured metropolis. Pressure mounts as allies turn unreliable and dangers close in.

Directed by David Ayer, Bright is built from an original screenplay by Max Landis and premiered on Netflix in December 2017, signaling a high profile expansion of streaming fantasy crime thrillers with a budget around 90 million and bold experimentation.

Bright sparked conversations about representation in fantasy by presenting an orc police officer as Ward's partner in a gritty urban setting. The unlikely duo generated memes and debate about inclusion in genre cinema, helping keep the discussion around race and power in the spotlight and broadening expectations for streaming formats.

Critics were divided on its tonal mix, with praise for performances and worldbuilding while noting uneven pacing. The film foregrounds prejudice, loyalty, and corruption within law enforcement, using a fantastical premise to probe how fear shapes choices and how friendship can challenge bias. Some viewers felt the ideas carried weight.

There was no theatrical release for Bright as it premiered on Netflix in December 2017, so no box office figures are reported. The streaming approach sparked debate about budgets, audience reach, and how success is measured in the streaming era.