Cillian Murphy Doesn’t like ‘Red Eye’: “I Don’t Think it's a Good Movie”

Of all the films Cillian Murphy has starred in, I always like to mention “Red Eye,” which was this nifty 2005 thriller courtesy of Wes Craven. A B-movie through and through, this was a gripping affair from Craven, and one of his best offerings.

The film has Lisa (Rachel McAdams) waiting to fly back home for her grandmother’s funeral, and there she meets Jackson (Murphy). Jackson hopes to assassinate the head of Homeland Security, but to do so, he needs Lisa to reassign the official's room number at her hotel. As insurance, Jackson has kidnapped Lisa's father (Brian Cox).

It’s one of Murphy’s more memorable roles, but surprisingly, he’s not a fan. In an interview with GQ, Murphy admits that he hasn't seen "many" of his own films. "Generally, the ones I haven't seen are the ones I hear are not good," he explained, though he has, apparently, seen “Red Eye”.

I love Rachel McAdams and we had fun making it, but I don’t think it’s a good movie.

Murphy has shared his feelings on the film in the past, telling Uproxx in 2021 that he thought the film was "schlocky," adding that he did like McAdams' performance.

But, listen, if people love the movie then that’s great. I’m pleased with that. I’m less hard on myself now when I look at stuff. I’m less hypercritical of my work. But that’s probably a hangover from that to be honest.

There’s a creeping sense of claustrophobia and terror in “Red Eye,” all contained within the coach section of a 737, and it’s almost all carried through by conversation. The film shouldn’t even count as a guilty pleasure because its so well-made and directed by Craven.