Cillian Murphy ‘Had Fun’ Making Red Eye with Rachel McAdams but Says ‘I Don’t Think It’s a Good Movie’

In the realm of thriller films, 2005’s Red Eye stands as a memorable yet divisive entry, particularly for its leading man, Cillian Murphy. The Irish actor, best known recently for his role in Oppenheimer, has candidly shared his mixed feelings about the Wes Craven-directed thriller.

Murphy discussed his experience and reflections on Red Eye in a new GQ cover story. Despite the film’s intriguing premise and his enjoyment of working with co-star Rachel McAdams, Murphy does not hold the movie in high regard. “I love Rachel McAdams and we had fun making it,” Murphy shared with the outlet. “But I don’t think it’s a good movie. It’s a good B movie.”

Red Eye features Murphy as a chilling antagonist who terrorizes McAdams’ character, a passenger on a flight, by threatening her father’s life if she does not comply with his demands. This role came shortly after Murphy’s portrayal of the iconic Batman villain, Scarecrow, in Batman Begins. Reflecting on his decision to take on the role, Murphy said, “I think it’s the duality of it. It’s why I wanted to play it. That two thing. The nice guy and the bad guy in one. The only reason it appealed to me is you could do that turn, you know?”

Rachel McAdams also reminisced about their time on set, highlighting the camaraderie and lighter moments shared between takes. “We would listen to music and gab away while doing the crossword puzzle, which he brought every day and would graciously let me chime in on,” McAdams told GQ. Her comments underline the surprising contrast between the on-screen tension and off-screen friendship. She also humorously noted that the most frequent question she received during the film’s promotion was about Murphy’s striking eyes. “The number one question I got about Cillian way back then was whether or not he wore contact lenses,” she said.

Murphy’s sentiments about Red Eye are not new. In a 2021 interview with Uproxx, he revisited his earlier critique of the film, explaining that he struggled with watching himself on screen during that period of his career. “The honest answer is I haven’t seen that movie since it came out like 15 or 16 years ago, whenever it was. I also think that, when I was a younger actor, I was really, really hard on everything that I was in,” he confessed. “I hated watching myself. I hated looking at myself on screen. I remember when I saw it was like ‘Oh, that’s kind of a schlocky B movie. Rachel McAdams is excellent in it.’ But I didn’t think I gave a very nuanced performance in it.”

Despite his harsh self-assessment, Murphy’s portrayal in Red Eye remains a noteworthy chapter in his career, reflecting his versatility and willingness to explore complex, dualistic characters. While he may not hold the film in high esteem, Red Eye continues to be a testament to his dynamic range as an actor and his ability to leave a lasting impression on audiences.