Before John Wick remade modern action in its highly stylized gun-fu and unrelenting pace, Michael Mann offered something quieter, colder, and perhaps more haunting: Collateral (2004).
Starring Tom Cruise as a contract killer with silver hair and Jamie Foxx as the hapless cab driver caught in his path, Collateral is a cinematic masterpiece laced with tension, atmosphere, and minimalist storytelling. Set over one fateful night in Los Angeles, the movie flows like a jazz riff — moody, unpredictable, and to the point.
Mann’s digital cinematography was ahead of its time, covering LA’s bright skyline and dark corners like a character itself. And the action? Brutal, quick, and authentic — no slow-motion, no flair, no over-the-top action, just effective violence that conveys more in seconds than some movies convey in two hours.
Cruise’s performance as Vincent is terrifying — a ghost in a tailored suit, equal parts charm and menace. His nightclub shootout alone is a master class in tactical realism, setting the stage for what action thrillers could be without losing narrative depth.
So yes, we love John Wick. But before the slick suits and headshots, there was Collateral — a film that whispered where others shouted, and in doing so, left a mark that still lingers in the genre today. The film is grounded, realistic and character-driven.
Watch the trailer for Collateral
Did you know?
- During Collateral’s early development, Russell Crowe was in talks to play Vincent. Due to production delays and scheduling conflicts, he eventually had to bow out.
- Michael Mann insisted on shooting Collateral digitally to capture the nightscapes of LA — one of the first major films to do so.
- Tom Cruise trained with real-life ex-Special Forces operatives and practised with live firearms, nailing the Mozambique Drill in under 2 seconds (notably seen in the alley scene).
- Adam Sandler was originally considered for Jamie Foxx’s role (!), but Foxx’s casting ultimately earned him an Oscar nomination.
Genres: Neo-noir, Action thriller
Directed by Michael Mann
Written by Stuart Beattie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill.
Cinematography: Dion Beebe, Paul Cameron
Release date: August 6, 2004
If you haven’t watched it in a while, it’s well worth a re-watch. Prior to John Wick, there was Collateral — a neo-noir classic richly worthy of its place in action film history. Check the listing below to watch Collateral online.
Where to watch Collateral (2004)
