More than two decades after its theatrical release, Tom Cruise’s Collateral is finding another audience through free streaming. The 2004 crime thriller is currently available on Pluto TV, giving viewers another opportunity to watch Michael Mann’s acclaimed film without a traditional rental or purchase. Pluto TV’s own listing confirms the movie is part of its streaming lineup.
The film remains an unusual entry in Cruise’s career because he plays Vincent, a professional hitman, rather than the heroic action leads that became closely associated with his later work. Alongside Jamie Foxx, who plays Los Angeles cab driver Max Durocher, Cruise anchors a tense story that unfolds almost entirely over one night.
Collateral Puts Tom Cruise on the Other Side of the Gun
The story begins when Max picks up Vincent, who offers him money to drive around Los Angeles for several stops. What initially appears to be a straightforward late-night fare quickly turns into a nightmare when Max discovers that his passenger is an assassin completing a series of contracted killings.
That setup gives Cruise one of his most distinctive roles. Vincent is controlled, confident and completely committed to his work, while Max is an ordinary cab driver whose carefully planned life is suddenly thrown into danger.
The film also features Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Javier Bardem and Bruce McGill. Michael Mann directed the movie from a screenplay by Stuart Beattie, with Mann’s visual approach turning nighttime Los Angeles into an important part of the thriller’s atmosphere.
Why the Thriller Still Holds Up
Collateral was already a commercial success when it opened in theaters in 2004. It debuted at No. 1 in the United States and Canada with approximately $24.7 million during its opening weekend before eventually earning more than $220 million worldwide.
Its critical reputation has also remained strong. The film currently holds an 86% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its performances and Michael Mann’s direction have continued to receive attention from critics and movie fans. JustWatch currently lists the movie with a 7.5 IMDb rating based on hundreds of thousands of ratings.
Foxx’s performance is another major reason the film continues to attract interest. His restrained portrayal of Max provides a strong contrast to Cruise’s colder Vincent, and the two performances keep the story grounded even as the night becomes increasingly dangerous.
