Collateral (2004)

Last updated:
June 23, 2025

Collateral is a tightly wound, neo-noir thriller directed by Michael Mann and starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Set over the course of a single night in Los Angeles, the film fuses suspense, action, and philosophical musings into a sleek, urban crime narrative. It’s a rare case of Cruise playing against type—he’s a charismatic but cold-blooded hitman—and the film explores themes of fate, morality, and personal agency under intense, life-or-death pressure.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: The Unlikely Meeting

Max (Jamie Foxx) is a meticulous, soft-spoken cab driver with dreams of starting his own limo company. He prides himself on providing a smooth ride and good conversation. Enter Vincent (Tom Cruise), a silver-haired, sharply dressed man who asks Max to be his personal driver for the night in exchange for $600—an offer Max can’t refuse.

First Stop – The Shocking Reveal

At the first destination, Max waits in the car while Vincent goes into a building. Moments later, a dead body crashes onto the cab roof. Max is stunned. Vincent calmly re-enters the vehicle and admits he’s a hitman with a list of targets to kill before sunrise. Max is now unwillingly involved.

A Night of Violence and Self-Discovery

Max tries to escape, call for help, and even plead with Vincent to stop, but he’s caught in a lethal grip. Vincent, on the other hand, begins philosophizing about the nature of his job, the randomness of life, and the illusion of control. As the night goes on, Max is pushed to his limits, seeing the real cost of inaction and cowardice, and realizing he must take bold steps to survive.

The two men visit several targets—including a jazz club owner and a federal witness—and each hit becomes more complicated and intense. Along the way, Max’s growing courage contrasts with Vincent’s dispassionate efficiency.

LAPD and FBI Involvement

Unbeknownst to the two, the police are tracking the killings. Detective Fanning (Mark Ruffalo) begins piecing the puzzle together, but is killed by Vincent before he can act. The FBI is also closing in, but not fast enough.

Emotional High Stakes: The Final Target

As the night nears its end, Max discovers the final name on Vincent’s hit list: Annie (Jada Pinkett Smith), the woman Max flirted with earlier that day when she was his passenger. She’s a federal prosecutor about to indict a cartel, and Vincent is being paid to eliminate her.

Movie Ending

In a desperate act of bravery, Max crashes the cab to stop Vincent, grabs his briefcase with the hit list (which was earlier destroyed by Max in another moment of resistance), and runs to warn Annie. Vincent, wounded but relentless, follows them into her office building.

The climax takes place in a dark, tense sequence inside an office tower, where Max and Annie attempt to evade Vincent. Eventually, they make it to a train, thinking they’ve escaped. But Vincent finds them on the Metro Rail. In a final confrontation, Max uses his knowledge of Vincent’s habits and the subway layout to shoot him in the chest.

Vincent sits down on the train, bleeding and defeated. In a haunting echo of his own earlier words about a man who died unnoticed on a train, Vincent quietly passes away as the car speeds into the night. Max and Annie get off safely, shaken but alive.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Collateral does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is over. The final moment on the train serves as the definitive conclusion to the film’s narrative.

Type of Movie

Collateral is a neo-noir thriller with elements of crime drama and psychological suspense. It is grounded in realism, with a moody, atmospheric portrayal of nocturnal Los Angeles, and a focus on dialogue, tension, and character development rather than explosive action.

Cast

Tom Cruise as Vincent
Jamie Foxx as Max
Jada Pinkett Smith as Annie
Mark Ruffalo as Detective Fanning
Javier Bardem as Felix Reyes-Torrena
Peter Berg as Richard Weidner
Bruce McGill as FBI Agent Pedrosa

Film Music and Composer

The original score was composed by James Newton Howard, but the soundtrack also includes tracks by artists like Audioslave and Paul Oakenfold. The music blends jazz, electronica, and ambient tones to reinforce the film’s nocturnal, tension-filled atmosphere.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed entirely on location in Los Angeles, using digital cinematography to capture the glowing, surreal quality of the city at night. The Metro Rail, downtown LA, Koreatown, and other real neighborhoods were featured prominently, giving the film a visceral sense of place. Mann’s use of LA as more than a backdrop—almost a character—is key to the film’s atmosphere.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Award Nominations (2005):
- Best Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx)
- Best Film Editing
BAFTA Awards:
- Nominated for Best Cinematography
Critics’ Choice Movie Award:
- Best Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx, also nominated for Ray)

Though it didn’t win any Oscars, the film was highly praised for its performances and cinematography.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Tom Cruise trained extensively in weapons handling and movement, even working undercover as a FedEx delivery man to test his ability to blend in.
The role of Vincent was originally offered to Russell Crowe.
Michael Mann chose digital cameras to capture LA’s ambient light and make nighttime scenes feel more natural and immersive.
Cruise’s gray hair was designed to subtly make him look like a ghost-like figure—aged, detached, and out of time.
Jamie Foxx reportedly had trouble keeping up with Cruise in early chase scenes because Cruise’s physical conditioning was so intense.

Inspirations and References

The screenplay, written by Stuart Beattie, was inspired by a chance encounter the writer had with a cab driver in Sydney.
Michael Mann drew from classic film noir and modern urban dramas.
Vincent’s character is reminiscent of existential antiheroes from films like Le Samouraï (1967) and Taxi Driver (1976).

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly confirmed alternate endings, but several scenes were trimmed for pacing. One deleted scene includes more of Max’s personal life, giving slightly more context to his mother and business aspirations.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is no original book the film is based on, but a novelization was released after the film, expanding slightly on character backgrounds. The movie is entirely original in concept.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The first hit: when the body lands on the cab, shifting the tone instantly.
The jazz club confrontation, ending in a shocking execution.
Max impersonating Vincent at the nightclub to save Annie.
The final standoff on the subway.

Iconic Quotes

Vincent: “You attract attention, you get people asking questions. And that’s the last thing I need.”
Vincent: “Someday, someday my dream will come.”
Max: “You killed him!”
Vincent: “No, I shot him. The bullets and the fall killed him.”
Vincent: “Millions of galaxies of hundreds of millions of stars. And we’re on this rock, a third from the sun. Going the speed of light, 67,000 miles an hour, spinning. And the only thing we think about is… where’s my cab?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Vincent’s suit and gun style are deliberately minimalist, designed to reflect his “ghost” persona.
The train at the end is the Green Line, often used in LA-set thrillers as a symbol of transition or escape.
Max’s dream of owning a limo company is never fully realized, symbolizing the stagnation he must overcome.

Trivia

Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.
Jamie Foxx practiced driving a cab for months before shooting.
The film was one of the first major Hollywood productions to use digital video extensively.
Mark Ruffalo’s character was originally scripted to survive longer into the film.

Why Watch?

Watch Collateral for a masterclass in mood, tension, and performance. Tom Cruise steps out of his comfort zone in one of his best roles, and Jamie Foxx delivers a nuanced performance that balances vulnerability with inner strength. Michael Mann’s vision of Los Angeles at night is haunting, dreamlike, and unforgettable.

Director’s Other Movies

Heat (1995)
The Insider (1999)
Miami Vice (2006)
Public Enemies (2009)
Ali (2001)

Collateral (2004)