Oxygen (1999)
A relentless psychological thriller where a detective battles a cunning killer and the clock to save a woman buried alive.
Oxygen - Movie Information
- Original Title: Oxygen
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Richard Shepard
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 12, 1999 (Germany - 16), November 12, 1999 (United States - R), December 22, 1999 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Oxygen - Lebendig begraben, eiskalt erpresst! (DE), 24 Horas Para Morrer (BR), Dying to Escape (US)
- Production Companies: Paddy Wagon Productions, Abandon Pictures, Curb Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Oxygen - Plot
When housewife Frances Hannon is abducted and buried alive, detective Madeline Foster is brought in. With only 24 hours before Frances' oxygen runs out, Madeline pursues the trail laid by a killer calling himself Harry Houdini. After capturing him, Madeline brings Harry back to the police station, but is unable to get him to confess where Frances is buried. As time runs down, Harry gets inside the head of unstable, alcoholic Madeline.
Oxygen - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
A killer. A cop. Someone's... buried alive.
Where to Watch Oxygen
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Oxygen - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Richard Shepard
Main Cast
- Maura Tierney
- Adrien Brody
- James Naughton
- Laila Robins
- Terry Kinney
- Paul Calderon
- Dylan Baker
- Olek Krupa
- Frankie Faison
- Slavko Štimac
Writers
- Richard Shepard
Producers
- Jonathan Stern
- Mike Curb
- Richard Shepard
- Carole Curb Nemoy
Oxygen - FAQs
What is Oxygen (1999) about?
Oxygen follows Detective Madeline Foster, a troubled alcoholic cop, as she races to find a woman buried alive with only 24 hours of air left. The kidnapper, who calls himself Harry Houdini, is caught early on — but refuses to reveal the location, turning the film into a gripping psychological duel.
Does Harry ever reveal where Frances is buried?
That's the central tension driving the whole film. Harry toys with Madeline rather than cooperating, exploiting her personal vulnerabilities and instability. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between them is what makes Oxygen so compelling — the clock is ticking, and Harry holds all the cards.
Where can you stream Oxygen (1999)?
You can catch Oxygen for free on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Tubi TV — all ad-supported streaming platforms. It's an easy pick if you're in the mood for a tense late-night thriller without any subscription required.
Why does the killer call himself Harry Houdini?
The alias is a deliberate provocation — Houdini was famous for escaping impossible situations, and the killer adopts the name to signal his own sense of control and superiority. It also ties into the film's themes of entrapment, escape, and psychological manipulation between captor and detective.
Who are the main actors in Oxygen?
Maura Tierney leads the cast as the flawed but determined Detective Madeline Foster, with Adrien Brody delivering a chilling performance as the manipulative killer Harry. James Naughton and Laila Robins round out the key roles as the kidnapping victim's husband and the buried woman herself.
Is Oxygen (1999) worth watching for thriller fans?
Absolutely, especially if you enjoy character-driven thrillers. The film's strength lies in its psychological tension rather than action set pieces. Maura Tierney and Adrien Brody are both excellent, and the ticking-clock premise keeps the pressure relentless. It's a lean, underrated gem from the late 1990s.
What is the age rating for Oxygen (1999)?
Oxygen is rated R, reflecting its dark themes, psychological intensity, and mature content. It's firmly aimed at adult audiences who can appreciate a gritty crime thriller that doesn't shy away from the disturbing nature of its premise.
Who wrote and directed Oxygen (1999)?
Richard Shepard both wrote and directed Oxygen, giving the film a unified creative vision. Shepard later went on to direct the stylish dark comedy The Matador (2005) and the acclaimed TV series Girls. Oxygen showcases his early knack for tight, character-focused storytelling under pressure.
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