A chilling thriller starring two Hollywood heavyweights is set to send shivers down the spines of ITV viewers tonight, with fans warning it might permanently alter their feelings about air travel.
A Fateful Flight Turns into a Nightmare
The film "Red Eye," featuring Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy, airs on ITV1 at 9pm on Friday, December 2. This taut 85-minute film, directed by horror maestro Wes Craven, follows hotel manager Lisa Reisert, played by McAdams, as she returns home from her grandmother's funeral. A seemingly charming encounter at airport check-in with the enigmatic Jackson Rippner, portrayed by Murphy, takes a sinister turn when she finds herself seated next to him on the plane.
The situation escalates horrifically when Rippner reveals his true motive: he has orchestrated the entire meeting to force Lisa into reassigning a room at her hotel for a high-profile guest—the head of Homeland Security—whom he plans to assassinate. To ensure her compliance, Rippner has kidnapped Lisa's father, played by Brian Cox, plunging her into an impossible dilemma thousands of feet in the air.
Critical Acclaim and Star-Studded Reactions
Upon its release in 2005, "Red Eye" proved a solid box office success, grossing $95.6 million against a $26 million budget. Critics praised its relentless pace and claustrophobic tension, granting it an impressive 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers highlighted the "pitch perfect" use of the confined aeroplane setting to ratchet up suspense to "uncomfortable (but welcomed) levels."
Interestingly, star Cillian Murphy offered a candid assessment of the film, calling it "a good B movie" while praising his co-star's performance. "I love Rachel McAdams and we had fun making it but I don't think it's a good movie," he remarked.
Viewers Divided Over High-Altitude Tension
Audience reactions have been mixed but passionate. Many viewers have taken to social media to express how the film's intense scenario has affected them. One fan stated the thriller left them "never feeling safe on a plane again," while another called it a "sneaky, lying, scrapes at your heart" film that lives up to its sinister premise.
However, some found the plot stretches believability. One detractor criticised the character decisions, calling them unrealistic and questioning how anyone could find the film plausible. Despite this, the consensus among thriller enthusiasts is that "Red Eye" remains a gripping and entertaining watch, perfect for a Friday night hiding behind the cushions.
Whether you're a fan of edge-of-your-seat suspense or curious about the early work of its now-iconic stars, you can judge the film's impact for yourself. "Red Eye" takes off on ITV1 at 9pm.
