Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Prime Day Deals Switch 2 Restock Walmart 4th of July Sale Galaxy Z Fold 7 Best Mattress Best laptops Wordle Today Recommended reading 5 best Netflix thrillers to stream right now Prime Video Prime Video is about to lose an intense thriller starring Ryan Reynolds — and it’s the ‘Deadpool’ star's best movie This new on Netflix action thriller soars to No. 1 spot — and it lives up to its 94% Rotten Tomatoes audience score 5 new to Netflix movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes Netflix is about to lose one of the most intense thriller movies I’ve ever watched — don’t miss your last chance to stream One of my favorite horror movies is now streaming on Netflix — and it's mind-bending nightmare fuel Netflix just added a fast-paced action thriller — and it's my favorite Gerard Butler movie Entertainment Netflix just got an intense psychological thriller movie starring Cillian Murphy — and it’s packed with claustrophobic tension Alix Blackburn 6 July 2025 ‘Red Eye’ turns an ordinary flight into pure psychological warfare When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: DreamWorks SKG / Bender-Spink Inc. / Craven-Maddalena Films / Album / Alamy) If you’re browsing streaming services for something sharp and filled with suspense, “Red Eye” is a forgotten thriller worth checking out now that it’s been added to Netflix's July lineup. Directed by horror legend Wes Craven, this 2005 psychological thriller is lean in runtime (a tight 85 minutes) but absolutely relentless when it comes to tension. Set almost entirely on a commercial flight, the movie follows a hotel manager heading home on a red-eye to Miami. Everything seems normal ... until the charming man seated next to her reveals he’s not just making small talk, but planning something deadly. What unfolds is a nerve-wracking battle of wits at 30,000 feet. You may like 5 best Netflix thrillers to stream right now Prime Video is about to lose an intense thriller starring Ryan Reynolds — and it’s the ‘Deadpool’ star's best movie This new on Netflix action thriller soars to No. 1 spot — and it lives up to its 94% Rotten Tomatoes audience score Despite being nearly two decades old, “Red Eye” hasn’t lost its bite. It’s one of those thrillers that proves you don’t need big action set pieces or explosions to create real suspense, especially when most of the movie takes place in a single location and plays out in near real-time once the flight begins. Plus, it’s anchored by two excellent performances from Rachel McAdams and, of course, Cillian Murphy at his most chilling. Some may remember it from its original run, but its addition to Netflix is a perfect excuse to revisit (or discover) one of the most claustrophobic thrillers of the 2000s. Here’s why “Red Eye” is absolutely worth a stream. What is ‘Red Eye’ about? Red Eye (2005) Trailer #1 - YouTube “Red Eye” follows Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams), a hotel manager who hates flying and is already on edge as she boards a late-night red-eye flight to Miami. Things take a strange turn when she finds herself seated next to a charming but mysterious man named Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy). At first, he seems harmless and even flirtatious, but once the plane is in the air, his true intentions are revealed. Jackson is part of a terrorist plot and needs Lisa’s help to assassinate a high-profile government official staying at her hotel. If she refuses to cooperate, he threatens to have her father killed. With no way to escape and no one to turn to at 30,000 feet, Lisa must outwit her captor and find a way to survive not just for herself, but for her father and the lives of others on that plane. Fear truly takes flight in ‘Red Eye’ (Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures / RGR Collection / Alamy) Anyone with the name Jackson Rippner is bound to turn some heads, given its eerie similarity to the infamous unidentified serial killer. This was actually intentional, as screenwriter Carl Ellsworth leaned into the pun, making Jackson’s name a subtle warning flag to hint at danger from the start. And it works. But that’s mainly down to Murphy’s performance as the charming yet dangerous man who walks onto that plane. “Red Eye” sees him play a villain for the first time (along with “Batman Begins”), and it almost makes you wish he’d taken on more roles like this because he’s terrifyingly good at it. One of the most chilling scenes in “Red Eye” (and arguably one of Murphy’s standout moments, ever) happens shortly after take-off, when Jackson drops the friendly act and calmly reveals his true intentions to Lisa. Up until this point, he’s been flirtatious and disarming. But once they’re in the air, he leans in and calmly tells her she’s going to help him carry out an assassination. (Image credit: DreamWorks SKG / Bender-Spink Inc. / Craven-Maddalena Films / Album / Alamy) From there, this thriller leaves heavily into building tension, enough to have you holding your breath. While most of that suspense revolves around what Murphy’s character does next, it’s McAdams who anchors the story enough to make it feel like a realistic scenario. Thrillers often tempt actors to go over the top, but she keeps her performance grounded, even as the chaos escalates. This movie is one of the rare thrillers where the victim outshines the villain. Lisa never freaks out or acts clueless when things get intense. Instead, when it’s time to fight back, she goes all in. There's one particular scene involving a pen that will make you squirm a little, but it makes you root for her even more. McAdams does a great job making her relationships feel real, whether it’s with her dad (played by Brian Cox), her co-workers, or the other passengers. It all comes across as believable, meaning you actually care about what’s happening. (Image credit: DreamWorks SKG / Bender-Spink Inc. / Craven-Maddalena Films / Album / Alamy) With his unconventional take on thrillers, it’s easy to see “Red Eye” as Wes Craven’s way of testing both his own skills and the typical rules of the genre. Yet he pulls it off and crafts a tense, gripping story that rarely strays beyond the two airplane seats occupied by predator and prey. Ellsworth’s screenplay is tight and packed with clever twists that help cover up the story’s bigger flaws. While the plot has moments that don’t quite add up (and by the time it ends, you might think of a dozen simpler ways the villain could have pulled off their plan), the movie leans on suspense rather than logic. In the end, it turns out to be a surprisingly enjoyable thriller and a refreshing change of pace from one of horror’s most iconic directors. Stream ‘Red Eye’ on Netflix now (Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures / Globe Photos / Zuma Press / Alamy) Even though “Red Eye” has been largely forgotten over the years, it received plenty of praise when it was released in 2005. It holds an 80% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes from nearly 200 reviews, along with a solid 64% audience rating. The site’s critics consensus reads: “With solid performances and tight direction from Wes Craven, Red Eye is a brisk, economic thriller.” It’s a short statement, but a very true one. So, if you’re craving a tightly wound thriller that keeps the pressure on from take-off to landing, “Red Eye” is a must-watch. The movie’s confined setting and relentless tension make every moment feel urgent, enough to have you on edge throughout its entire runtime (I certainly was, even just re-watching it!). It’s packed with shocking moments and clever storytelling that proves less can truly be more. Stream “Red Eye” on Netflix now. For more streaming recommendations, see what new Netflix movies and shows to watch this week. More from Tom's Guide Netflix just added the first 5 'Mission: Impossible' movies Netflix is adding the NASA channel featuring live space missions Netflix drops first trailer for new romantic comedy movie Streaming device deals not to miss Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021) $44.48View Deal See all prices Google Chromecast with Google TV $89.95View Deal See all prices Apple TV 4K (2022) $135.49View Deal See all prices Roku Express 4K+ (2021) $34.95View Deal See all prices Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2023 $34.99View Deal See all prices Deal ends Sat, Jul 12, 2025 We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Alix Blackburn Social Links Navigation Senior Streaming Writer (UK) Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote. Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry. She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 5 best Netflix thrillers to stream right now Prime Video is about to lose an intense thriller starring Ryan Reynolds — and it’s the ‘Deadpool’ star's best movie This new on Netflix action thriller soars to No. 1 spot — and it lives up to its 94% Rotten Tomatoes audience score 5 new to Netflix movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes Netflix is about to lose one of the most intense thriller movies I’ve ever watched — don’t miss your last chance to stream One of my favorite horror movies is now streaming on Netflix — and it's mind-bending nightmare fuel Latest in Netflix It's not 'Squid Game,' but this Netflix thriller movie with a familiar face might hit the same nerve — watch the new trailer now 5 new to Netflix movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes Netflix just added a gripping dystopian thriller movie — and there’s never been a better time to watch it Netflix just got a must-watch crime comedy from the Oscar-winning director of ‘Anora’ — and it’s 96% on Rotten Tomatoes Netflix is losing an original crime drama series with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes next week — now’s the time to binge-watch I was worried about 'The Sandman' season 2 — but the first episode proved me wrong Latest in Opinion Nintendo Switch 2 was top of my gadget wishlist — then I played the Asus Rog Ally X I took my Nintendo Switch 2 on a trip for the first time — here’s 3 things I loved and 2 I didn’t Forget the Apple Watch — 5 reasons I’ll be wearing the latest Casio G-Shock this summer instead Netflix just got 'Born on the Fourth of July' — why I'm watching this Tom Cruise movie for Independence Day I played the Switch 2 with AR glasses — here's what it's like to race Mario Kart World on a 135-inch screen in front of your face Samsung’s Galaxy G fold feels more like a proof of concept than an actual phone — here’s why LATEST ARTICLES 'Mr. Robot' is now on Netflix — and this flawless techno-thriller has only gotten better with time This golf sale beats Prime Day — take an extra 25% off clearance apparel at PGA TOUR Superstore 31 best early Prime Day deals under $25 now — Apple, Yeti, Skechers and more Best early Prime Day tablet deals: 11 huge iPad and Android sales I've seen so far I reviewed this JBL speaker a year ago and still have dreams about it — now it's at its lowest ever price ahead of Prime Day Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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