Today’s entry for Todd Mason’s ongoing blogging series (Overlooked Films) is the 2005 thriller Red Eye, directed by Wes Craven and co-starring Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy.

On what appears to be a routine flight to Miami, Florida our heroine, Lisa Reisert (McAdams) finds herself sat next to one Jackson Rippner (Murphy), who is certainly not all that he appears to be. In fact, he has very ill intentions and Reisert’s at the center of his devious plans. I know the statute of limitations on spoilers is probably well over, but I hate giving away “twisty” plot details, even if many of you are clever enough to figure out where this story is going (it is a Wes Craven film after all).

And sure, it gets a little bonkers towards the end of the film, but with such a premise, how could it go any other way? Sometimes your brain must check out and just go with what you are seeing on the screen. With talented thesps such as the ones on offer in this film (supporting help from Brian Cox et al), the experience of watching this film is made all the more enjoyable.

I remember when this film came out and the marketing surrounding it was rather misleading – which resulted in my thinking that this would be a rather lame film indeed. Boy was I pleasantly surprised!

Besides, it’s only 85 minutes in length and for my money (although I saw it on cable TV) it was time well spent.