Movie Reviews Special: ‘00s Thrillers

This month sees the long-awaited release of oft-overlooked psychological horror-thriller, The Cell on 4K UHD disc. The film – which was originally released in 2000 – stars Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, and Vincent D’Onofrio, and is one of the more interesting and mind-bending thrillers of the ‘00s.

If you’re not familiar with the film, take a look at the glowing review The Cell receives on this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2025. The film didn’t quite get the love it deserved back in 2000, but a quarter of a century on it sure gets the thumbs-up around here, and now is the perfect time for a watch.

And with this in mind, this month’s Movie Reviews Special is taking a look back at ‘00s thrillers which are also worth your time, with a selection of films from some of the biggest directors and/or actors of the era. I’m talking David Fincher, James Mangold, Bill Paxton, Joel Schumacher, Jodie Foster, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Williams, and John Cusack, amongst others.

Some of the films covered in this edition you may be familiar with, others less so, but all could inspire your next watch party. As for the films, they include Panic Room, Changing Lanes, Identity, One Hour Photo, Frailty, and Phone Booth.

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On disc…

Panic Room (2002)

First up is David Fincher’s 2002 claustrophobic home invasion thriller, Panic Room. The director behind such films as Alien3, The Game, and Seven is no stranger to tension and suspense, and he certainly delivers it in spades in this picture.

Starring Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker, Dwight Yoakam, and Jared Leto, Panic Roomfollows the story of Meg Altman and her daughter, Sarah. In the film, Meg and Sarah move into a beautiful new house, but it is soon under threat from outside forces.

On their first night in their new abode, three masked burglars break in on the hunt for bearer bonds. When Meg becomes aware of their presence she wakes her daughter, and they attempt an escape.

However, when they realise there is no way out, the Altmans change tactics and lock themselves inside a panic room which is built into the house. The room is fortified by a mix of steel and concrete, and should keep them safe until the burglars give up and leave.

But as the Altmans quickly discover, they have sealed themselves in the very place the intruders want to be. The bonds are stored inside a safe in the panic room, and the burglars are coming in, one way or another.

Heading to limited edition 4K UHD disc from March 3rd, Panic Room is one of those thrillers which just works from start to finish. As soon as the concept of the panic room is established, and as soon as its strengths and benefits are laid out – concrete and steel construction, a telephone connection, etc – it becomes clear the film will do everything it can to work against all this.

Steel and concrete are great for keeping people out, but they also keep people in. A phone line is marvellous to keep in touch with the outside world, but it can be interfered with.

Yes, on paper this should be the one room in the house that can offer protection, but a panic room can also be a prison. And this is before other problems are thrown into the mix.

Sarah is diabetic and needs insulin which is not kept in the panic room; a half-garbled phone call brings new wrinkles; and dissension in the ranks causes internal conflict amongst the burglars. At every turn, Fincher and Panic Room writer David Koepp find ways to crank up the tension and throw a spanner in the works to make Meg and Sarah’s confinement an absolute nightmare.

What makes Panic Room stand out is just how simple it is. The film takes the template of a home invasion thriller, adds in the confines of the panic room (which further trap the Altmans in their home), and subjects them to a ‘worst-case scenario’.

It’s a scenario which is heightened with various twists and turns that don’t let up until the credits are about to roll, and you won’t be able to turn away from the screen. This is full engagement cinema, it is Fincher at his finest, and it all comes together marvellously.

Panic Room is a great watch, with smart direction, a killer script, and fine performances from Foster et al. The movie is just as strong now as it was back in 2002 and if for any reason this one has passed you by, be sure to seek it out.

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Now streaming…

Changing Lanes (2002)

Up next is the drama thriller, Changing Lanes. Directed by Roger Michell, the film stars Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack, Dylan Baker, and William Hurt, and follows the story of two strangers who have a life-changing encounter during a traffic accident.

In the movie, insurance salesman and recovering alcoholic, Doyle Gipson is on his way to court to argue for joint custody of his sons. This is an important case for Gipson, with high stakes for his future relationship with his children, and he has prepared as best as he can ahead of the hearing.

Meanwhile across town, Wall Street Attorney, Gavin Banek is also on his way to court. Banek is filing an important document which could have huge ramifications for his practice if things don’t go as planned.

En route to the courthouse, Banek becomes distracted while driving his car and he collides into Gipson’s vehicle. Banek’s car escapes more or less unscathed, but Gipson’s is no longer road worthy.

Following the incident, Gipson is keen to exchange insurance details and abide be the law before moving on with his day. Unfortunately, Banek is less interested in doing this, and he leaves the scene of the accident, with Gipson stranded in the process.

Things then go from bad to worse when Gipson is late for his court date. But Banek encounters problems too, and soon both of their lives become intertwined in increasingly troubling ways.

When Changing Lanes was released back in 2002 it was both a critical and commercial success. The film received encouraging reviews from critics and took around $95 million at the box office.

However, since the film’s release, Changing Lanes has sort of fallen through the cracks. It doesn’t get talked about anywhere near as often as it should, and it frequently seems to be overlooked.

But Changing Lanes should not be overlooked because it is an excellent drama-thriller. Rather refreshingly, the film places its emphasis on characterisation over set pieces; it continuously raises questions around morality and ownership; and it is backed by terrific performances from all the cast, especially from Affleck and Jackson.

What’s more, while Changing Lanes is somewhat of a slow burn, it is constantly turning up the heat and showcasing the impact of escalation. Gipson and Banek spend the majority of the movie acting and reacting to one another, and every situation becomes dicier than the next and more engaging.

The catalyst of the drama is the car accident, however, at the centre of the tale is a lot more than a vehicular collision. This is a story about two people making choices, pivoting accordingly, and facing the consequences of their actions.

Sometimes they make the right decisions, most of the time they make the wrong ones, but it is a journey with peaks, troughs, and plenty of growth. The great thing about Changing Lanes is how much emphasis it places on putting the central leads through the wringer and bringing them out the other side and this makes for an interesting watch.

If you are someone who tires of thrillers which seem to lose focus or run out of steam, Changing Lanesshouldn’t let you down. It is a movie with a strong script, an interest on self reflection, and a narrative that perfectly fits its running time.

If this sounds a good match for you, you can catch Changing Lanes streaming on Netflix and NOW in the UK.

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Now streaming…

Identity (2003)

In Identity, it’s late at night and during a heavy downpour, ten strangers arrive at a motel in Nevada. Amongst the group is a limo driver, an actress, a police officer, a convicted murderer, a sex worker, a young couple, and a family of three.

After checking in at reception, the assortment of folk settle into their rooms. However, during the middle of the night, one of them is killed.

A short while later, another member of the ten is murdered in their room, with more deaths following. The chief suspect is the convicted killer, but is he really the one responsible for all the murders?

Directed by James Mangold, and heavily inspired by whodunits, specifically Agatha Christie’s novel And Then There Were None, Identity is a mystery-thriller starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Alfred Molina, Clea DuVall, John C. McGinley, Rebecca De Mornay, and Jake Busey. The movie centres around a collection of strangers who find themselves at the mercy of a killer, and who may get bumped off at any moment.

Why is the killer interested in these ten seemingly unconnected people? Well, this all becomes clear in time – either when the movie explicitly tells the audience or when the audience figures it out for themselves.

Either way, for the first two thirds of Identity, this is a fairly robust murder-mystery. Identity is suitably dark, wonderfully gripping, and with Mangold calling the shots, marvellously staged and executed.

Where things become a bit ‘bumpy’ is during the third act, which will either leave you shocked and gagged, or completely unfazed and rolling your eyes. The resolution to the murder mystery is a divisive move which some will relish, but some may recoil from.

What’s important to remember is that up until this point, the film looks good, is able to get the brain cells firing, and attempts something few mystery pictures of this ilk would dare. Whether it ultimately pulls it off is open for debate, but no one can knock it for trying.

Should you wish to let Identity sizzle your synapses, the movie is currently available to rent or buy on all the major video on demand platforms.

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Now streaming…

One Hour Photo (2002)

In One Hour Photo, Sy Parrish is a photo technician at a one-hour photo processing lab located in a big-box store known as SavMart. Sy is a dedicated employee, with twenty years experience, and he values his work as well his skills as a technician.

Outside of work, Sy is a loner. He has no friends, his pet hamster is his only companion, and his job is his life.

While at work, Sy’s favourite customers are the Yorkin family. The Yorkins are regulars at SavMart, often have rolls of film to be processed, and Sy bends over backwards to accommodate their needs.

But what the Yorkins don’t know is Sy makes copies of their photos for his own use. He views the Yorkins as family, keeps pictures of them around his house, and has developed a deep obsession with them.

This obsession isn’t new. Sy has been keeping tabs on their lives for years and this unhealthy interest has slowly taken over everything he does.

Written and directed by Mark Romanek, One Hour Photo is a psychological thriller starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole, and Eriq La Salle. The movie is currently streaming on Disney+ in the UK, and is a dark, hypnotic tale backed by one heck of a performance from the late great Williams.

A performance which Williams plays against type. During the course of his career, Williams mostly played larger than life comedic roles, or at least roles with elements of comedy in them, and yet there’s nothing comedic about Sy at all.

Sy is a deeply disturbed character and Williams plays the part with a mesmerising intensity and absolute conviction. While One Hour Photo is an excellent movie in its own right, Williams’ performance is key here, it is truly outstanding, and he demonstrates the skills he possessed as an actor. 

Williams’ talent is now sadly gone, but his legacy remains. Should you ever wish to see him at the top of his game, breaking out of his comfort zone and taking his audience to new places, this is exactly what One Hour Photo is about.

Outside of Williams’ performance, writer/director Romanek delivers his film with a light touch which matches its sombre mood. One Hour Photo is not a wham-bam picture, but rather a film built on feelings, emotions, and vibes, and this is effortlessly conveyed in the construction, the staging, and direction of his movie. 

The darkness at the heart of the story is there from the opening moments and Romanek makes it clear with every frame things will only get worse. He invites the audience to watch as everything unfolds, and see for themselves how Sy’s obsession destroys lives.

If you’ve never managed to catch One Hour Photo, then be sure to take a look. The movie is a superb ‘00s thriller and Williams’ turn as Sy is amongst his best.

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Now streaming…

Frailty (2001)

Next up is a thriller which continually flies under the radar. No matter how many people discover the movie and praise it, too many are unfamiliar with it.

The film is 2001’s Frailty – a psychological horror-thriller from Bill Paxton. The late filmmaker directed and starred in the film, alongside a cast which includes Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O’Leary, and Jeremy Sumpter.

As for the story, Frailty is a troubling tale about a small family: A father and his two young sons. In the movie, the father is convinced he has been chosen by God to kill demons masquerading as humans, and his sons are roped in to help him.

Told through an extensive use of flashbacks, which take the story back to 1979, Frailty shows how the family start off as regular folk, until one night ‘Dad’ is supposedly visited by an angel sent from God. Dad claims that during the visit, he has been given an important task, to rid the world of demons.

Over the coming days, Dad becomes obsessed with conducting God’s work, and collects together a series of weapons which he believes are vital instruments. From here, he compiles a list of names of people he believes are secretly demons, and then the killings start.

Deliciously dark, unwaveringly evil, and truly compelling, Frailty is a twisted thriller unlike any other. The film tells a story about one man’s belief, how this belief infects his family, and how he uses it to justify his actions.

Throughout the film, Dad commits atrocious acts, all in the name of God. But is he deluded, is he mentally disturbed, or can he really see demons?

The answer to that question can be found in the film. What can also be found is some terrific performances from the likes of McConaughey and Boothe, as well as a masterful turn from Paxton who demonstrates his skills in front of the camera, as well as behind.

Frailty marked Paxton’s directorial debut and it was a solid start for what sadly became a short stint in the director’s chair. Unfortunately, Paxton only directed one other feature film before he passed away, but Frailty is a cracking picture, which demonstrates his keen eye for storytelling.

Should you wish to view Frailty in the UK, the movie isn’t all that easy to come by, as it doesn’t tend to pop up on the major streaming services. It also hasn’t had a physical disc release for a very long time, so that option is out too.

However, at present Frailty is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video. If you’ve not watched it before, consider giving it a rent, as it is highly recommended.

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Now streaming…

Phone Booth (2002)

And finally, in Phone Booth, arrogant New York publicist, Stu Shepard is in the West Side of Manhattan when he steps into a phone booth on the corner of 53rd & 8th to make a call. The call is to one of his clients, which he is making in secret, as he is interested in sleeping with her behind his wife’s back.

After getting off the call and replacing the receiver back into its holster, the phone begins to ring. Stu instinctively answers the call and is greeted by an unknown voice. 

However, the caller appears to know Stu, as well as details about his life. He is aware of Stu’s interest in his client, as well as his interest in other women, and the caller threatens to expose Stu’s secrets.

While this is a significant cause for concern for Stu, things soon escalate even further when the caller suggests he has a gun pointing at the phone booth and could fire on Stu at any moment. If Stu doesn’t follow instructions, there will be consequences for himself and those around him.

Directed by the late Joel Schumacher, and starring Colin Farrell, Katie Holmes, Radha Mitchell, Forest Whitaker, and Kiefer Sutherland, Phone Booth is a small budget psychological thriller based around a very simple premise. Stu (Farrell) is trapped in a phone booth, the mysterious caller (Sutherland) continually threatens his life, and he doesn’t know how to escape.

Along the way, he encounters a number of challenges, including a hostile pimp, ineffective police, and the caller’s ever watchful eye. As the runtime ticks along, the tension mounts, Stu’s predicament worsens, and there appears to be no way out.

Does Stu escape? Well, that would be telling, but at a lean 81 minutes it doesn’t take too long to find out.

What’s important is those 81 minutes are thrilling and loaded with drama. They also provide lead star, Colin Farrell with plenty of opportunity to shine.

Farrell was only seven years into his acting career when he starred in Phone Booth (a relative newcomer in terms of star status), yet he’s excellent in the role of Stu. Panic and worry is etched across his face, as he frantically finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare, and it is a terrific performance.

Sutherland is equally impressive, being perfectly cast as the unseen caller. His rich, distinctive voice is intoxicating, completely exudes evil, and is a million miles away from his role as the heroic Jack Bauer in hit TV show, 24 – a series that was airing while this movie was in theatres.

Together the Farrell/Sutherland combo is impossible to resist. The interplay between the pair helps to increase the suspense and tension, and keeps the interest level and story investment high.

Throw in a strong supporting role for Forest Whitaker as a police captain who catches on to Stu’s problem, and you have one nerve-shredding thriller. A thriller with smart direction from Schumacher, some distinctive visuals, and that all-important tight running time.

Upon release, Phone Booth was a sizeable hit, taking over seven times its budget. This is a testament to how strong the script is, how marvellous the central players are, and demonstrates how great storytelling can often outweigh flashy effects.

Phone Booth is also an example of a thriller with both style and substance. It offers something different, with a straight forward narrative to back it up. 

Should you wish to watch Phone Booth, the movie is currently streaming on Disney+ in the UK.

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Star Movie 

OK, so those are all of the movies and all are recommended in their own way. Each has a unique selling point, and when it comes to films such as Changing Lanes or Frailty, these are often overlooked titles that deserve more attention.

In terms of the Star Movie of this ‘00s Special, the standout film is without doubt, Panic Room. The combination of Fincher and Foster, plus the intriguing claustrophobic premise is a win-win all round.

Not seen it? Watch it. Not seen it in a while? Watch it.

And if you’re a fan of Panic Room, or you know you’re a soon-to-be fan of Panic Room, you may also wish to check out these additional recommendations:

• The Game (1997) – Director David Fincher’s mystery thriller about a troublesome game, with Michael Douglas in the lead.
• Buried (2010) – The Ryan Reynolds-starring claustrophobic thriller about a truck driver buried alive in a coffin. 
• Hush (2016) – Home invasion horror-thriller about a deaf-mute author who becomes the target of a killer.

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And that’s your lot for this month’s 00’s Thriller Special. The regular edition of Movie Reviews 2025 will be back next week, with a whole heap of new movie reviews, while another Special will be heading your way next month.

In the meantime, check out some of the movies above (or all of them if you have the time), and expand your watchlist accordingly. There are plenty of great movies available, often at the touch of a button, so don’t overlook any of the classics.

Alex

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Thank you for taking the time to read Movie Reviews 2025 on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.