Collateral (2004)

Plot Summary

Max (Jamie Foxx) is a mild-mannered Los Angeles cab driver with big dreams of starting his own limousine company. One night, his life changes when he picks up Vincent (Tom Cruise), a sharply dressed passenger who offers him $600 to make multiple stops.

Max soon discovers the truth—Vincent is a contract hitman, and the “stops” are part of a hit list that must be completed before dawn. Forced to drive at gunpoint, Max becomes both an unwilling accomplice and a potential victim, as Vincent methodically works through his assignments while the LAPD closes in.

Cast & Performances

• Tom Cruise delivers a cold, calculated, and chilling performance as Vincent, breaking away from his usual heroic roles.

• Jamie Foxx brings depth and vulnerability to Max, portraying a man caught between fear and an emerging courage.

• Jada Pinkett Smith plays Annie, a prosecutor whose brief encounter with Max early in the film sets the stage for the tense climax.

• Mark Ruffalo appears as a determined detective piecing together the night’s events.

Style & Cinematography

Michael Mann embraces the digital filmmaking technology of the early 2000s, using high-definition cameras to capture Los Angeles at night with striking realism. The city becomes a living, breathing character—its neon lights, quiet streets, and sudden bursts of chaos mirroring the film’s unpredictable rhythm.

The pacing is tight, with moments of philosophical conversation between Max and Vincent providing brief respites from the escalating tension. James Newton Howard’s moody score and a carefully curated soundtrack deepen the film’s atmospheric pull.

Reception & Legacy

Collateral was both a critical and commercial success, earning over $220 million worldwide and receiving two Academy Award nominations (Best Supporting Actor for Foxx, Best Film Editing). Critics praised its taut storytelling, strong performances, and Mann’s mastery of urban mood.

Nearly two decades later, Collateral remains a standout in the thriller genre—a character-driven action film that proves suspense doesn’t always come from explosions, but from the quiet, unnerving moments between them.

Final Word

With its razor-sharp dialogue, haunting visuals, and career-best performances, Collateral is a masterclass in how to make a city feel alive and a single night feel like a lifetime. It’s a ride you won’t forget—just make sure you know where your driver’s taking you.