Knight and Day (2010)

Last updated:
August 8, 2025

Knight and Day is a high-energy action-comedy directed by James Mangold, blending espionage thrills with romantic banter. Starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, it delivers globe-trotting chases, double-crosses, and plenty of charm.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening and Airport Encounter

June Havens (Cameron Diaz), a car restorer on her way to her sister’s wedding, bumps into Roy Miller (Tom Cruise) at an airport. What she doesn’t know is that Roy is a rogue spy carrying the Zephyr—a tiny, powerful perpetual energy battery created by young genius Simon Feck. Their “chance” meeting is far from random; Roy has purposely used her to smuggle the device through airport security.

Plane Fight and Sudden Crash Landing

On their flight, June notices Roy acting suspiciously. Midair, Roy is attacked by every other passenger—who turn out to be assassins. In a comedic yet intense fight scene, he dispatches all of them while chatting with June as if nothing unusual is happening. After an emergency crash landing in a cornfield, Roy drugs June “for her safety,” setting up a running gag where she repeatedly wakes up in new, increasingly dangerous locations.

Globetrotting Chaos and Trust Issues

June wakes up in her Boston apartment, thinking it was all a dream—until armed agents arrive, accusing Roy of being a traitor. Roy suddenly appears, rescuing her in a chaotic highway chase. They travel from the U.S. to the Azores, Austria, and Spain while dodging CIA agents led by Fitzgerald (Peter Sarsgaard), who claims Roy has stolen the Zephyr. June is torn between trusting Roy’s wild explanations and believing he’s a dangerous criminal.

Bulls, Motorbikes, and the Real Villain

In Seville, during a bull-running festival, Roy and June face one of the film’s most famous set pieces: a motorbike chase through streets filled with stampeding bulls. The scene confirms Fitzgerald’s betrayal—he’s the one trying to sell the Zephyr to a weapons dealer. Roy’s only goal is to protect Simon and keep the invention out of the wrong hands.

Movie Ending

The climax unfolds on a bridge in Seville. Fitzgerald kidnaps Simon and forces Roy to hand over the Zephyr. Roy, outnumbered, fights back in a daring gunfight while Simon cleverly uses the overheating battery to cause chaos. Fitzgerald tries to escape, but is killed when the Zephyr explodes. Simon is rescued, safe at last.

However, Roy is gravely injured. He’s taken to a hospital, where CIA director Isabel George (Viola Davis) tries to persuade June that Roy will be protected but kept away from her “for security reasons.” June pretends to agree, but drugs Roy (mirroring his earlier tactic) and smuggles him out in a hospital gown.

The final scene shows them driving off together on June’s restored GTO, headed for a new life. Their banter continues, leaving the audience with the sense that their unpredictable adventures are far from over.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Knight and Day does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the main credits roll, the story is done.

Type of Movie

Action-comedy with romance and spy-thriller elements.

Cast

Tom Cruise – Roy Miller
Cameron Diaz – June Havens
Peter Sarsgaard – Fitzgerald
Viola Davis – Isabel George
Paul Dano – Simon Feck
Jordi Mollà – Antonio Quintana
Falk Hentschel – Bernhard

Film Music and Composer

Score by John Powell, known for mixing sweeping orchestral cues with upbeat, playful motifs that match the film’s mix of romance and action.

Filming Locations

Massachusetts, USA – Early scenes, including the airport encounter.
Austria – Vienna sequences.
Spain – Seville and Cádiz, including the bull-running chase.
Arizona, USA – Rural landing strip scenes.
The choice of locations emphasizes a globe-trotting, spy-thriller feel, making each setting part of the film’s energetic pace.

Awards and Nominations

The film received nominations for:

Teen Choice Awards (Choice Movie Actor and Actress)
Golden Trailer Awards for Best Romance Poster and Best Action TV Spot.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Tom Cruise performed many of his own stunts, including motorcycle riding in Seville.
Cameron Diaz trained extensively for weapon handling and motorcycle riding.
The bull-running sequence involved real bulls and a mix of CGI, requiring meticulous safety planning.
Cruise and Diaz had previously worked together on Vanilla Sky (2001), which helped their on-screen chemistry.

Inspirations and References

While not based on a book, the film draws inspiration from classic romantic adventure comedies like Charade and North by Northwest, mixing lighthearted romance with espionage intrigue.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Deleted scenes included extended comedic banter between Roy and June and a slightly longer version of the Seville chase. The theatrical ending remained unchanged in all versions.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Roy calmly taking out assassins on the plane while chatting to June.
The cornfield crash with June waking up repeatedly in different locations.
The motorbike chase through the running of the bulls.
The hospital escape in the final moments.

Iconic Quotes

Roy: “Someday. That’s a dangerous word. It’s really just code for ‘never.’”
June: “You can’t just go around killing people!”
Roy: “Actually, June, they were trying to kill me. That’s a little different.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Roy’s name “Miller” might be a nod to classic spy film aliases used by undercover operatives.
The Zephyr’s overheating feature is subtly foreshadowed in early dialogue about its instability.
In the GTO’s dashboard, there’s a tiny model airplane—a wink to the film’s opening airplane fight.

Trivia

Originally titled Wichita before being renamed.
Several actors, including Adam Sandler, were considered for the lead before Cruise took the role.
Filming in Seville coincided with the real bull-running festival, which inspired the chase scene.

Why Watch?

If you enjoy fast-paced, globe-trotting action mixed with flirty humor and a bit of absurdity, Knight and Day is a fun ride. Cruise plays with his action-star image while Diaz delivers comedic timing that keeps the romance engaging.

Knight and Day (2010)