Fans who were disappointed in not seeing Cillian Murphy in 28 Years Later should check out the actor’s underrated thriller now on Netflix. In 2002, the ground-breaking zombie movie 28 Days Later served as a breakout project for Murphy, leading to bigger Hollywood projects, including his frequent collaborations with Christopher Nolan.
Now, Murphy is considered one of the best actors working right now, with several acclaimed performances. He became a household name thanks to his role as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders and went on to win an Oscar for his lead performance in Oppenheimer.
Murphy has not yet returned to the franchise that helped launch his career, being absent from both 28 Weeks Later and this summer’s 28 Years Later. While his character Jim will return in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, there is an overlooked thriller from Murphy trending on Netflix that fans can watch in the meantime.
Wes Craven & Cillian Murphy’s Red Eye Was Just Added To Netflix – What The Movie Is About
Murphy Plays The Villain Opposite Rachel McAdams
Red Eye has recently started streaming on Netflix and is already trending as one of the streamer’s most popular тιтles. The movie comes from horror director Wes Craven, the man behind A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream franchise, and gives Murphy one of his best villain roles.
Rachel McAdams stars in the movie as Lisa, a woman making a red-eye flight back home, where she strikes up a rapport with the handsome stranger seated next to her, Jackson (Murphy). However, Jackson soon reveals his true nature and the fact that it is no coincidence they are seated together.
Jackson forces Lisa to help him carry out a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly plot or else her father (Brian Cox) will be killed. Red Eye is similar to Drop, the recent thriller starring Meghann Fahy, with most of the action confined to one setting as the female hero must protect her loved one while ensuring the villain’s plan doesn’t succeed.
Why Red Eye Is An Underrated Movie In Cillian Murphy’s Career
The Talented Team Elevates The Thriller
While Cillian Murphy’s career is filled with great projects, Red Eye still stands out as an underrated movie. It was a success upon its release, scoring 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and earning nearly $100 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). However, it has since been largely forgotten by audiences.
Murphy is also wonderfully chilling in the villain role, sharing terrific chemistry with Rachel McAdams that really elevates the movie.
Murphy himself has dismissed Red Eye as “not a very good movie,” but the actor seems to be missing just how fun the thriller is. With a simple premise and a small setting, Red Eye manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seat the entire time. It goes over the top or breaks from reality, but keeps things endlessly entertaining.
A lot of Red Eye’s success comes down to the talent of those involved. The thriller is a much different project than fans might expect from Wes Craven, but he proves why he is a legend at crafting intense movies. Murphy is also wonderfully chilling in the villain role, sharing terrific chemistry with Rachel McAdams that really elevates the movie.
