Review Of The Movie "Red Eye"

 

Disclaimer: This is not an actual review. I am neither a film/TV critic nor a journalist. The content of this review is mainly based on my view and opinion of this movie. The word "review" is only used to categorize and grab the reader's attention.

Warning: May contain spoilers!

Overview:

“Red Eye” released in 2005 is a mystery/thriller starring Cillian Murphy, Rachel McAdams, and Brian Fox. The movie is directed by Wes Craven and is based on the story by Carl Ellsworth and Dan Foos.

The story is about Lisa (Rachel McAdams) who on her flight to Miami befriends Jackson (Cillian Murphy). The charming Jackson shows his true colors as soon as the flight departs as he turns out to be a terrorist who forces her to help him assassinate the United States Deputy Security of Homeland Security.

Although this movie only has a 6.5/10 rating on IMDB and 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, I still believe it is a pretty decent movie. The start of the movie with comedic undertones, the build-up towards the main theme and Lisa’s attempts to outsmart Jackson and save herself keeps the thrill alive till the end of the movie.

Rachel McAdams as "Lisa" and Cillian Murphy as "Jackson" in Red Eye

Plot:

It’s a short thriller movie. The story doesn’t take very long to build towards the main theme. The plot is to the point and sticks to its main idea. The comedic undertones kept the balance intact.  Yes, some of the things were total clichés but we see that in every 2000s and 90s movie of the same genre. There are quite a few plot holes and things that you might question. I don’t know if those are plot mistakes or direction but it’s a movie so just let it slide. It also lacked character development but as I mentioned it’s a short movie and things are on point so don’t expect much. 

Red Eye Movie Poster

Acting:

Both Rachel and Cillian did a great job acting their roles. Cillian made a great switch from a charming, helpful stranger at the airport to an assertive terrorist. Rachel played the role of Lisa a hotel manager, who is smart, hard-working, a critical thinker and brave. She did a great job making Lisa’s emotions feel natural throughout the movie. Even though the focus is mostly on Cillian and Rachel, the supporting cast also did a great job. Everyone acted the way their role required and no one over did. And I believe that’s what made it a good watch. It is from the early works of both the main actors and it is good to see such great actors work before they got their “big breakthrough” and became the “THE ACTOR” we know today. Since there wasn’t much to the story and their characters so I really think they did a fairly good job playing their role. So, if you are a fan of either of the actors you should watch this movie to experience the range of their acting skills. 

Direction:

The movie is set in an economy-class cabin of an airplane and Wess Carven did an absolutely amazing job of keeping it engaging. There are quite a lot of things that could be made or done better in the plot and direction but on top of my list is the last part where Lisa fights Jack in her house. I am all up for badass female characters and I get she was in her own house so she had the advantage but he is a trained assassin. It shouldn’t have looked as easy as it did. They should have shown Lisa struggling a bit more it was too quick and abrupt the way things ended. The second half of the movie felt a bit too rushed than the first half.  

Rachel McAdams as "Lisa" during the climax scene in movie "Red Eye" trying to fight Cillian Murphy as "Jackson"

Conclusion:

In the end, I’d say it is one of those movies you put on at night because you are bored and want something to watch with your dinner and then go to sleep. You don’t have to use much of your brain for it. Yes, there are plot holes, and yes there are clichés but no one is saying it’s the best. It’s a decent watch. There isn’t much action or violence just a girl using 100% of her brain cells and trying to escape from an assassin. Go watch it on Saturday night if you like short thrillers and a tad bit of badass girlie characters with zero fighting skills but still manage to beat the bad guys. (Not kidding or being sarcastic I love the female lead). I rate this movie 3.5/5. 

Fun Fact: “Red Eye” refers to those flights that depart late at night and reach their destination early in the morning. The name is given because the passengers arrive with “red eyes” due to lack of sleep. In the movie, Lisa departs on the “red eye flight” to Miami hence the name of the movie.