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Surprised by Tom Cruise: The 2004 Film You Probably Haven’t Seen But Should Definitely Appreciate!
When you think of Tom Cruise, the first images that likely come to mind are high-octane action sequences from Mission: Impossible or his iconic role as Maverick in Top Gun. However, there’s one film in his extensive career from 2004 that often gets lost in the shadows of his blockbuster hits: Collateral. Directed by Michael Mann, Collateral is a film that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of Tom Cruise, but it might just be one of his most underrated works. In fact, it might even be the performance that critics and audiences alike have overlooked for far too long.
The Premise: A Night of Chaos
At first glance, Collateral might seem like another typical action film, a standard story of a hitman doing his job. However, this is far from a typical action movie. The plot revolves around Vincent (played by Tom Cruise), a cold, calculating hitman who hires a taxi driver, Max (Jamie Foxx), to take him around Los Angeles for a night. Over the course of this seemingly mundane night, Vincent completes a series of assassinations, each one more intense than the last. Max, an innocent bystander, is forced into a dangerous game he never signed up for. What follows is a riveting journey through the night, filled with tension, unpredictability, and profound philosophical discussions between the characters.
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What stands out immediately is the contrast between Cruise’s usual action hero roles and the cold, detached hitman he plays here. In Collateral, Cruise isn’t the charming, heroic figure we’re used to. He’s morally ambiguous, detached, and downright menacing. This is a Tom Cruise performance that makes you forget he’s the same actor who brought us Jerry Maguire and Mission: Impossible. He transforms completely for the role, showing a level of depth and complexity rarely seen in his career.
Tom Cruise’s Unforgettable Performance
Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Vincent is chilling, yet captivating. Gone are the familiar smiles and fast-talking characters; here, Cruise embraces a darker, more subdued approach. His Vincent is calm, calculating, and eerily composed—yet there’s an undercurrent of tension in every word and every movement. Unlike many of Cruise’s other roles, Vincent isn’t seeking redemption or a second chance. He is a man who’s accepted his fate, and that sense of finality shapes every aspect of his performance.
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What makes Vincent so compelling is that Cruise doesn’t overplay the character’s coldness. Instead, he plays him with restraint, allowing the character’s ruthlessness to simmer beneath the surface. There’s a sense that Vincent’s emotional detachment is not only a survival mechanism but also a reflection of his philosophical worldview. He doesn’t see his actions as wrong; rather, he sees himself as a force of nature, simply doing his job. This psychological complexity is part of what makes the film so intriguing and what sets Cruise’s performance apart from his more traditional roles.
The Chemistry Between Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx
While Tom Cruise is undoubtedly the star of Collateral, the film wouldn’t work without the chemistry between him and his co-star, Jamie Foxx. Foxx plays Max, a taxi driver who finds himself unwillingly swept up in Vincent’s violent spree. The two actors share an electric dynamic, with Cruise playing the experienced, dangerous professional and Foxx portraying the everyman who is thrust into a nightmare.
Max is everything Vincent is not: he’s good-hearted, kind, and driven by a desire to escape the mundane life he’s been stuck in. As the night progresses, the two men engage in conversations that aren’t just about the killings they’re involved in but also about life, fate, and purpose. Foxx’s performance provides a perfect counterbalance to Cruise’s icy detachment. It’s fascinating to watch these two men, so fundamentally different in every way, interact with each other—one seeking to complete his mission, the other desperate to survive and get out of the situation alive.
Foxx’s portrayal of Max is grounded and deeply empathetic, which helps to humanize the entire film. His character provides the emotional anchor in the midst of all the chaos. As the film progresses, Max’s struggle with his own moral compass becomes central to the plot, and it’s through his journey that we’re reminded of the broader themes of destiny and choice that permeate Collateral.
Michael Mann’s Masterful Direction
What truly elevates Collateral beyond a typical thriller is Michael Mann’s direction. Known for his moody, atmospheric films such as Heat and The Insider, Mann brings his signature style to Collateral, crafting a film that feels almost like a fever dream. The film takes place entirely over the course of one night, and Mann uses the dark streets of Los Angeles as a metaphor for the moral gray areas that the characters navigate.
Mann’s use of lighting is particularly striking. The neon lights of the city, coupled with the stark shadows, create a sense of foreboding and tension. The film’s pacing is deliberately slow at times, forcing the audience to sit with the discomfort of the situation. This methodical approach helps build suspense while also giving room for the characters to breathe and develop. The tension between Vincent and Max is allowed to build gradually, making their eventual confrontation all the more explosive.
The choice of music also plays a crucial role in creating the film’s distinctive atmosphere. The soundtrack, composed by James Newton Howard, adds another layer of depth to the film, with its moody and jazzy tones perfectly complementing the dark undercurrents of the plot. It’s a soundtrack that not only supports the narrative but also helps to underscore the philosophical themes that run through the film.
The Underappreciation of Collateral
Despite receiving generally positive reviews upon its release, Collateral never achieved the mainstream recognition that many of Cruise’s other films did. While it grossed nearly $220 million worldwide, it wasn’t the kind of blockbuster success that Mission: Impossible or Top Gun became. Critics praised the film for its gripping narrative and strong performances, particularly Cruise’s, but it never entered the pop culture lexicon in the same way. Perhaps it was too nuanced for some audiences or simply overshadowed by the other blockbuster fare of 2004. Yet, Collateral stands as one of the finest films in Cruise’s career and is a testament to his versatility as an actor.
It’s time to recognize Collateral for what it truly is: an underrated classic. While it may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of Cruise’s other work, it deserves a place in the conversation about his best performances. Cruise’s turn as Vincent is a masterclass in subtlety and psychological depth, and the film as a whole is a perfect blend of action, drama, and existential reflection. It’s a movie that doesn’t rely on spectacle or flashy set-pieces but instead challenges the viewer to think, to question, and to reflect on the choices we make.
