Red Eye
DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: August 19, 2005
8.6
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 524 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
441
Mixed:
46
Negative:
37
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
4
LaurenW.Aug 25, 2005
I cant imagine how people thought this was a good movie. yes i was awake the whole time, but i was not impressed. i am not a big fan of thrilllers, because i am a huge baby, but this was pathetis even by my standards. i loved rachel mcadams, I cant imagine how people thought this was a good movie. yes i was awake the whole time, but i was not impressed. i am not a big fan of thrilllers, because i am a huge baby, but this was pathetis even by my standards. i loved rachel mcadams, which is why i gave this a 4, but it probably doesnt even deserve that.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
4
JimG.Jan 12, 2006
Wow. This has got to be one of the most overrated movies of 2005. The trailers (back in 2004?) had me very curious and expecting a real thriller. But it just evaporated on the screen. This is a plot? It was all over after the realization Wow. This has got to be one of the most overrated movies of 2005. The trailers (back in 2004?) had me very curious and expecting a real thriller. But it just evaporated on the screen. This is a plot? It was all over after the realization that the seatmate is a bad guy. What was original after that? Yikes. And the scene back at daddy's house? C'mon! This has got to be the stock ending to every attempt at a thriller. Victim thinks they've won, villian makes last attempt, third party seals the victory from offscreen. Sheesh. Wes Craven can do a lot better than this. And because of that, it can't be better than a 4.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
5
LarryS.Jan 20, 2006
A decent movie for about 40 minutes. Then it gets stupid and unbelievable.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
6
jefequesoNov 28, 2011
Red Eye is basically what happens when you take an hour of solid psychological tension-building, then tack on a half an hour of "an ode to Scream" at the end. It's a mostly unremarkable film, with the only stand-out aspect being the acting,Red Eye is basically what happens when you take an hour of solid psychological tension-building, then tack on a half an hour of "an ode to Scream" at the end. It's a mostly unremarkable film, with the only stand-out aspect being the acting, which is quite good. Cillian Murphy is, as always, a joy to watch, and Rachael McAdams is surprisingly convincing as the ubiquitous "young woman in a frightening situation." The first hour or so of the movie is almost entirely carried by the interaction between these two, which is tightly scripted and relatively intelligent. And then...it all kinda falls apart. The last half hour isn't bad, per se...but it takes a sudden leap into the sort of tedium and ridiculousness that characterizes modern slashers--a phenomenon that can be attested to the fact that Wes Craven, master of the unconvincing horror film, directed Red Eye. The end leaves several gaping plot holes and loose ends, most of which come as a result of the last half hour. Overall, it's not a waste of time. It has good acting and overall solid execution. But a lame last half and lack of anything particularly original keep it from greatness.… Expand
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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6
SpangleAug 22, 2016
If you ask someone what the most typical thriller movie ever made is, Red Eye should certainly be in contention. Fortunately, a requisite to be the most typical thriller ever made is that the film must be thrilling. Red Eye is certainly that.If you ask someone what the most typical thriller movie ever made is, Red Eye should certainly be in contention. Fortunately, a requisite to be the most typical thriller ever made is that the film must be thrilling. Red Eye is certainly that. Director Wes Craven knows how to elicit fears and thrills along the way in this straight forward thriller. The acting is spotty, though never outright bad. The first half of the film is very cheesy and kind of silly, while the second half really finds its groove and, though kind of outlandish, is truly thrilling. This obviously makes the second half far superior, even if the dialogue can be in-and-out between solid and terrible. Essentially what I am trying to communicate here is simple: only thriller fans need apply. Red Eye's typical nature and adherence to cliches will annoy many, but for fans of the genre, its taut thrills and tight plot will be more than satisfactory.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
MeritCobaJun 19, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The courteous creep Jack Rippner (Cillian Murph) must have manipulated the seat arrangements in the plane so he can sit next to cute hotel manager Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) and blackmail her into sparing the life of her dad in exchange for the deaths of the under secretary of Homeland security and his family who happen to stay in the hotel she works for.
It is that kind of thriller directed by horror expert Wes Craven who is well past his prime nowadays. So where you hope something unexpected to happen you get the usual aggravating nonsensical tale of a lone woman against creepy guy. Reality and logic require suspension and the gods of ultimate coincidence need to be invoked to keep the tale on track. During the cat and mouse game between Lisa and Jack it even gets to physical blows, but of course, as per script, nobody notices anything. Not even the violent banging against the walls of the toilet in an airliner triggers questions.
The low point is reached two thirds into the movie. Lisa escapes the clutches of the scary guy to run through the airport dodging security and police, while trying to phone her dad and her hotel at the same time. Why she doesn't go to the first security guard or police officer she sees is baffling considering that she has been attempting to warn them the whole time. Even more unbelievable is that the hotel assistant she gets a hold of doesn't even bother to call the room where the undersecretary is to warn him of impending attack, but instead decides to take the elevator all the way up and deliver the warning in person. What cheap way to create suspense. More unbelievable scenes follow, mostly at her dad's house. The police delays showing up and the neighborhood doesn't bat an eye when Lisa runs over a bad guy aiming for her dad with a stolen car and smashes it frontally into her dads house. In the end Lisa, after fighting Jack tooth and nail is saved from the creep by her dad. Hey, she is a woman after all.

To sum up.There are some unintentional funny moments, a few stupid people, and a cast that makes the best of a failing script bled dry of originality. If you happen to be a fan of Wes Craven don't go and see this movie: you'll see his image notched. If you have something better to do you might consider skipping it also. It isn't totally bad, it is just implausible and run of the mill.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
drone41May 20, 2018
I'm not so delighted with this movie. I can say it has an interesting and tense story, but it's not for more than 5.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
geewahJan 24, 2021
A simple premise for a movie, but executed quite well due to it's well-paced screenplay.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
critcsrmadSep 9, 2005
Had a few okay moments and cillian and rachel are good, but the movie as a whole is just incredibly mediocre. Typical nonsensical ending and fight. Must check brain out at the door. For this movie to get such high ratings, someone must have Had a few okay moments and cillian and rachel are good, but the movie as a whole is just incredibly mediocre. Typical nonsensical ending and fight. Must check brain out at the door. For this movie to get such high ratings, someone must have been bought or our expectations for movies have lowered due to all the bad ones being created today. Since this one isn't as bad as the usual, it gets good reviews. 5 pts for being watchable. Just don't expect a super good thriller as the reviews would make you think.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
[Anonymous]Jan 11, 2006
I found myself rooting for the bad guy about 20 minutes him. Thought Rachel McAdams character was not believable. Loved Cillian Murphy though.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JaniceLJan 10, 2006
I was expecting something more. the acting wasn't quite up to speed but the plot was interesting.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
DennisP.Jan 15, 2006
I enjoyed the scenes on the airplane between McAdams and Murphy, but the last act was just one thriller flick cliche after another (low cellphone battery, fight to the finish with bad guy, etc.). At least Craven kept the flick to 85 minutes.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
LynnB.Aug 24, 2005
Very entertaining movie, however I don't think they developed the plot enough. I never really understood Jackson's motivating force - what made him be so evil? Who was behind the [omitted]?
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
SusanM.Sep 14, 2005
A pretty straight-forward flick with no thrilling plot twists or surprises. It's a good chance to rest your brain and just watch a movie without having to think too hard. And even if you don't like it, it's pretty short. A pretty straight-forward flick with no thrilling plot twists or surprises. It's a good chance to rest your brain and just watch a movie without having to think too hard. And even if you don't like it, it's pretty short. Rachel McAdams is a really good actress.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
A.B.Jan 28, 2006
so cheeesy. how can people make such a cheesy movie. so horrible. so horrible. not as good as lotr. ok i'm pretty bored if im writing this.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JeffM.Sep 11, 2006
Based on the positve reviews, this was somewhat of a disappointment. Good cast, but the story just needed some more twists and turns to make it worth sitting through. At least it's short.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
matta.Aug 25, 2005
Had some fairly intense moments but near the end it just kind of ran out steam and got pretty cheesy. Cillian Murphy is great though.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
MarcDAug 27, 2005
Are we that easily amused that we can give this film a score of 7 on average? I should hope not. For, it speaks volumes for how shallow our perception of thrillers has crashed in recent memory.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
BrettH.Sep 11, 2005
All right as someone said, leave your brain at the door. This is one of the blandest movies I've ever seen. The plot is HORRIBLE and unrealistic. The ending is so....dull. You expect a twist you get nothing. Overall it is entertaining All right as someone said, leave your brain at the door. This is one of the blandest movies I've ever seen. The plot is HORRIBLE and unrealistic. The ending is so....dull. You expect a twist you get nothing. Overall it is entertaining but there's so much better out there.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
MikeG.Jan 12, 2006
Eh. It wasn't terrible, but I just never felt all that invested in the story or the characters. I kept thinking throughout the film, "well, this is interesting." That would be fine if this was a documentary about penguins or Enron, but Eh. It wasn't terrible, but I just never felt all that invested in the story or the characters. I kept thinking throughout the film, "well, this is interesting." That would be fine if this was a documentary about penguins or Enron, but this was supposed to be a nail-biting thriller. This is competent work by Craven, but I was definitely expecting better.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
GregT.Jan 24, 2006
Please Sir, can I have some more... of the drugs that the critics are on? How this movie rated 71 by the professional critics is beyond me. It was a very short (85 minute) movie and was a teen slasher flick reworked for seemingly 30 year old Please Sir, can I have some more... of the drugs that the critics are on? How this movie rated 71 by the professional critics is beyond me. It was a very short (85 minute) movie and was a teen slasher flick reworked for seemingly 30 year old heroines and villains. And yes, I enjoyed her beating the **** out of him. I guess you could term this movie as "redemptive slasher".… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JeffV.Feb 18, 2006
This movie gets a C+. It is an average movie, but well done. If you are a Craven fan, you will identify with his style. The acting was well done. I personally thought it was far fetched and cheeky. Well done, but cheese ball with a kind of This movie gets a C+. It is an average movie, but well done. If you are a Craven fan, you will identify with his style. The acting was well done. I personally thought it was far fetched and cheeky. Well done, but cheese ball with a kind of incredulous plot line.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
TomM.-Feb 22, 2006
The fact that this Craven movie Red Eye is getting such fantastic reviews is mindboggling. As said in many a user review from real people, this is a [below] average movie and in my opinion not even a worth a theatre release, i could care The fact that this Craven movie Red Eye is getting such fantastic reviews is mindboggling. As said in many a user review from real people, this is a [below] average movie and in my opinion not even a worth a theatre release, i could care less if it was. Not Recommended.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
imthenoobNov 11, 2022
McAdams and Murphy carry the movie in a way that its ridiculous story never could. If you focus entirely on their acting, It's a tolerable film. If you actually pay attention to the plot, You realize just how bafflingly dumb it is.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
YABOYNICKYJan 1, 2016
A mediocre thriller to be completely honest. A decent movie but bad acting and very predictable. Decent, but super super predictable. Would have been much better if they cast better actors
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a thriller drama film from Wes Craven. Fans of Wes' other works will perhaps be disappointed to hear that this particular film isn't a 'gore fest' as it doesn't contain any explicit bloody violence - its not a slasher film, unlike 'Nightmare On Elm Street' et al. However, for me thats a good thing, as I'm not especially keen on such films which usually rely almost entirely on the shock factor to entertain.

I felt this film was genuinely quite tense, suspenseful and unsettling. Speaking of which, I noticed a quite heavy use of stringed instruments by way of instrumental pieces played fairly loudly throughout the film, to help create, or add to, the tension and general unsettling feeling. However, at times I did feel that the music was perhaps a bit too loud and distracting.

There's also a good use of camerawork during the in-flight scenes, whereby the camera slowly zooms/pans across the many various rows of seats, giving the viewer a rather uneasy feel. Its almost as if we're carefully looking at everyone in the flight and wondering which may be involved and may know about whats going on.

I liked the ocassional shot of the skyline from outside the plane, with the red/orange tinged sunset also giving off a spooky atmospheric feel. I felt it was an entertaining and quite watchable film in general, although I wouldn't say that it particularly broke new ground or was especially memorable overall. One thing I did like and found quite funny was the name of the airline thats shown on the side of the plane a few times - 'Fresh Air'.

Cast wise, Rachel MacAdams plays Lisa. She comes across as believably scared and unsure what to do, although (and I realise I'm perhaps being a bit picky here) I could have done with a few less 'oh my God's!. I suppose you could say she plays the typical American 'damsel in distress' type. Cilian Murphy plays Jackson Rippner and he does seem quite facially expressive and emotive, almost seeming somewhat rubber faced not unlike Jim Carrey did in his 90s films, although in a more menacing way. Also present, cast wise, is Brian Cox as Joe Reisart.

I found myself on the edge of my seat at one or two points, when the plot pace suddenly sped up towards the end of the film. If I had to be critical, I'd say that I was a bit sceptical regarding quite how likely, or realistic, aspects of the plot were but for the most part I went with it. I'd still say its more believable than the aforementioned slasher flicks tend to be (in my experience certainly). On the plus side, the film is relatively short running time wise at one hour and twenty two minutes. I do tend to prefer shorter films in general, for the most part. I also enjoyed a fast paced car scene towards the end of the film, as well as one or two special effects. I felt that this was a relatively decent thriller style drama - not one of the finest per se but its certainly entertaining, tense and easy to watch.

Content wise, there is a constant feeling of tension and threat throughout the film, which could potentially upset or frighten particularly young viewers but is, of course, to be expected. There is some relatively strong language and one or two sudden scenes which could make people jump, although, thankfully for me, there is no excessive bloody violence. There is violence but its relatively moderate, or what I would regard as moderate (although someone suffers a stabbing to the neck but next to no blood is clearly shown, otherwise the violence involves things such as vases being smashed on or near others).

Yes, I suppose I would cautiously recommend this film, although it isn't especially memorable as such, its an easy watch, it works quite well at being tense and suspenseful and it isn't overly long. I'm not sure I'd pay much for it but given I got my DVD of it from Poundland, I wouldn't exactly say its a big waste of money. However, if your looking for a gory slasher-fest horror film then look elsewhere as this will disappoint in that regard… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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