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Don't Say a Word
2001 113 min United States of America R 18+
★5.7
Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Director: Gary Fleder
Trailers
Description
When the daughter of a psychiatrist is kidnapped, he is horrified to discover that the abductors' demand is that he break through to a young woman, suffering from PTSD, who knows a secret six digit code number.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$55M
Worldwide:
$100.02M
Starring
Michael Douglas
Actor
Sean Bean
Actor
Brittany Murphy
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Don't Say a Word is a divisive psychological thriller that relies on standard genre conventions to build a tense, if somewhat predictable, atmosphere. While audiences are split on the quality of the script and the lead performances, many find the film to be a watchable and engaging entry in the genre.
| Acting | Brittany Murphy delivers a compelling and electrifying portrayal of a traumatized young woman that anchors the film's psychological tension. | |
| Direction | Director Gary Fleder successfully maintains a tight, suspenseful atmosphere by skillfully managing multiple intersecting plot lines. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is heavily criticized for relying on clichéd genre tropes and a nonsensical central premise regarding a decade-old robbery. | |
| Acting | Michael Douglas's performance is polarizing, with some viewers finding him charismatic and precise, while others argue he is unconvincing and fails to convey necessary emotional depth. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a subject of debate, as some viewers appreciate the relentless tension and dynamics, while others find the narrative flow and the nearly two-hour runtime to be bloated or exhausting. |