Collateral (2004)
A Los Angeles cab driver's ordinary night turns deadly when his passenger turns out to be a ruthless contract killer.
Collateral - Movie Information
- Original Title: Collateral
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Michael Mann
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Spanish, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 5, 2004 (Hong Kong - IIB), August 6, 2004 (United States - R), August 6, 2004 (Canada - 14A), September 17, 2004 (United Kingdom - 15), September 23, 2004 (Germany - 16), September 29, 2004 (France - TP), October 14, 2004 (Australia - MA 15+), August 27, 2004 (Brazil - 14), August 20, 2004 (Mexico - C), October 15, 2004 (Italy - T), August 6, 2004 (Spain - 16), October 15, 2004 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Colateral: Lugar y tiempo equivocado (AR), コラテラル (JP), Souchastnik (RU), Sŭuchastnikŭt (BG), I Diadromí (GR), Spivuchasnyk (UA), Kolateral (RS)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Edge City, DreamWorks Pictures, Parkes+MacDonald Production
- Production Countries: United States of America
Collateral - Plot
Cab driver Max picks up a man who offers him $600 to drive him around. But the promise of easy money sours when Max realizes his fare is an assassin.
Collateral - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see how one night changes everything:
It started like any other night.
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Collateral - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michael Mann
Main Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Jamie Foxx
- Jada Pinkett Smith
- Mark Ruffalo
- Peter Berg
- Javier Bardem
- Bruce McGill
- Klea Scott
- Barry Shabaka Henley
- Irma P. Hall
Writers
- Stuart Beattie
Producers
- Michael Mann
- Julie Richardson
Collateral - FAQs
What is Collateral about?
Collateral follows Max, a Los Angeles cab driver who unwittingly becomes the hostage driver for Vincent, a cold and methodical contract killer with five targets to eliminate in a single night. The film is a tense two-hander that explores fate, ambition, and survival on the streets of nocturnal LA.
Is Vincent a villain or an antihero in Collateral?
Vincent is very much a villain, but Tom Cruise plays him with such magnetic charisma and philosophical cool that he blurs the line. He challenges Max's passivity and forces genuine self-reflection, making him one of cinema's most compelling antagonists despite his ruthless profession.
Where can you stream Collateral right now?
You can stream Collateral on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, or through the Paramount+ Amazon Channel and Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Kanopy offers it for free.
How does Collateral end, and what does it mean?
Max ultimately confronts Vincent on a subway train, shooting him. Vincent dies alone in a moving car — mirroring his own detached worldview that no one would notice a dead man on the train. The ending suggests that Max's forced journey through the night finally awakened the courage he had buried for years.
Who are the main actors in Collateral?
Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx lead the film as assassin Vincent and cab driver Max. The supporting cast includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill, and Irma P. Hall. Foxx earned a Golden Globe nomination for his nuanced, grounded performance.
Was Collateral shot on digital video?
Yes — Michael Mann shot most of Collateral on high-definition digital video cameras, a bold choice for a major studio film in 2004. The grainy, immediate quality gave nighttime Los Angeles a raw, almost documentary feel, setting the film apart visually from traditional Hollywood thrillers of the era.
Is Collateral worth watching today?
Absolutely. Collateral holds up remarkably well — it earned strong critical praise on release and remains a masterclass in tension and character dynamics. The chemistry between Cruise and Foxx is electric, Mann's direction is razor-sharp, and the nocturnal Los Angeles atmosphere is utterly immersive.
What films are similar to Collateral?
If you loved Collateral, check out Michael Mann's own Heat (1995) for a similarly gripping LA crime atmosphere. Drive (2011) shares the nocturnal tension and a morally complex protagonist, while Jackie Brown (1997) and The Bone Collector (1999) offer comparable crime-thriller thrills with strong character work.
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