Red Eye–A Terrifying Flight 

Directed by horror superstar Wes Craven, Red Eye (2005) is more of the genre “Snakes in the Plane” than horror, which is not one of this reviewer’s favorite forms of entertainment.  However, this is a solid thriller which builds tension.

Lisa ( Rachel McAdams of “The Notebook”) is  a hotel manager who has booked a flight back home to Florida to see her father (Brian Cox of “Succession”) after attending her grandmother’s funeral. While waiting at the airport she meets Jackson (Cillian Murphy of “Oppenheimer” and “Peaky Blinders’)), a quiet, handsome man  with an easy smile. The  two strangers hook up at a bar for a cozy drink before boarding. After  boarding and  discovering they’re seatmates, at first the flirtation begins… until it becomes frighteningly obvious that Jackson’s smile is a ruse, and Jackson is not as benign and mellow as he appears.  The action in the economy class becomes claustrophobic as Lisa and Jackson are trapped in a menacing cabin cat-and-mouse game.

While there is the usual bathroom drama, fellow passengers trying to be helpful but clueless and ineffectual, Red Eye has flashpoint moments that keep the viewer’s interest. Slowly a pervasive feeling of dread fits the genre of airplane horror

Red Eye highlights the promise of both Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy’s future as successful A-list actors.  Back in the day twenty years ago, their performances are still notable.  With sizzling chemistry as enemies determined to eliminate the other one for their own survival, McAdams plays an almost impossibly determined heroine to Murphy’s hateful antagonist.  Motivation for their laser-focused fight to the death is a slow reveal.  Nonetheless, although not particularly original in character or plot development, Red Eye is a satisfying thriller with some great acting for those looking for an exciting film with heart-pumping action.

Availability: Netflix