This Underrated Thriller Is Tom Cruise’s Best Performance

Tom Cruise is arguably the cinema’s last great movie star. His films are cinematic events, promising audiences jaw-dropping thrills that demand to be seen on the big screen. The “Mission: Impossible” franchise has proven remarkably sturdy, with each installment offering consistently thrilling action extravaganzas. “Top Gun: Maverick” has all but solidified Cruise as cinema’s savior, becoming a post-pandemic box office smash. Against expectations, Cruise reminded viewers that tentpole filmmaking is still alive and well in Hollywood. In the process, he became the industry’s ultimate action hero and a creative bright spot within the studio system. However, Tom Cruise’s best performance diverges significantly from his recent blockbuster successes.

Micheal Mann & Tom Cruise: A Perfect Match

Directed by Michael Mann, “Collateral” is a gritty thriller evocative of neo-noir. The film stars Jamie Foxx as Max, a cab driver saving up to start his own limo company. However, the cabbie’s night is hijacked by his last customer, Vincent, a ruthless assassin played by Tom Cruise. Cast wonderfully against type, Cruise earned rave reviews for his chilling performance. The role pushed him further as an actor, demanding range and tranquil fury in place of his usual charisma. An enigmatic figure, Vincent is both a deconstruction of Tom Cruise’s public image and one of Michael Mann’s archetypal lonely men.

Franchises like “Mission: Impossible” can’t be built without dedication. One of the hardest workers in the industry, Tom Cruise has devoted himself to generating high-octane entertainment. Willing to risk his life for death-defying stunts, he has developed a reputation for his commitment to quality. This off-screen notoriety has bled into many of Cruise’s roles, as he frequently plays individuals defined by their resolve. “Collateral’s” Vincent maintains that trademark perseverance, coming across like a human terminator throughout the film’s climax. His persistence as a contract killer mirrors Cruise’s work ethic towards filmmaking, albeit within a much less ethical profession. In many ways, Vincent is the inverse of Tom Cruise’s on-screen persona, and a figure befitting Michael Mann’s direction.

Michael Mann has always expressed a fascination with masculinity throughout his career. Since his debut with “Thief,” the filmmaker has explored individuals who dedicate themselves to their profession. Obsessed with illustrating how men throw away their humanity to become professionals, Mann’s films frequently deconstruct typical notions of masculinity. Characters like “Heat’s” Neal McCauley and “Manhunter’s” Will Graham are examples of protagonists who feel alienated from the outside world. Mann’s leads are trapped within the confines of their careers, unable to form human connections outside their occupation. Vincent is no exception, as he is a broken soul consumed by empty violence. This character provides Mann the chance to present Tom Cruise through a far more cynical lens.

How Collateral’s Vincent Compares to Tom Cruise’s Other Roles

Few actors possess a more distinct typecast than Tom Cruise. Having built his current career on carefully crafted archetypes, Cruise’s filmography is littered with familiar motifs. Characters like Maverick, Ethan Hunt, and William Cage all rebel against an oppressive command structure for the greater good. Frequently pitted against doubt and systemic corruption, Cruise’s leading roles endure and inspire loyalty in the face of insurmountable odds. In recent years, these narrative figures have become synonymous with Tom Cruise himself as a pop culture icon. The public sees him as a shining star of individualism, a recurring motif throughout his cinematic pantheon. “Collateral” gives Cruise a similar role, yet frames his character in an entirely different light.

On paper, Vincent fits in right alongside his performer’s collection of eccentric action heroes. He’s an expert in his field and a master of strategic improvisation, much like Cruise’s character in the “Mission: Impossible” films. Throughout “Collateral’s” runtime, the assassin rarely loses his cool and remains focused on his objective. It’s a role befitting Tom Cruise as a consummate professional, and he plays the part perfectly. With his slicked-back hair and tailored suit, Vincent’s attire reflects a man devoted to his occupation. However, Cruise delivers a noticeably darker performance than one would expect given his current work in the action genre. More than a rebel against bureaucracy, Vincent is a callow nihilist capable of brutal violence.

“Collateral” is ultimately a deconstructive view of hitmen within the crime thriller genre. Whereas films like “Pulp Fiction” tend to glamorize assassins as suave, charismatic figures, Michael Mann has more honest thematic aspirations. Dehumanized by the nature of contract killing, Vincent is unable to form substantial emotional connections. The film makes it clear that Vincent views himself as nothing more than a mechanism for violence. When accused of murder, he simply states, “I shot him, the bullets and the fall killed him.” Tom Cruise plays the role with the same tenacity he brought to Ethan Hunt and Maverick. However, in the context of “Collateral,” that kind of performance serves to demonstrate the terrifying nature of Vincent’s personality.

Tom Cruise Paves New Ground by Playing Off Jamie Foxx

Tom Cruise is often seen as a one-man show. Many of his most recent films are built entirely around his star power, and he rarely performs as part of an ensemble piece. People didn’t go to see “Top Gun: Maverick” for Jon Hamm or Miles Teller; they went for Tom Cruise. Audiences expect his work to be star vehicles for their lead’s idiosyncratic charm, even if he has a strong supporting cast. In the past, Tom Cruise has even hijacked productions like “The Mummy” to give himself a greater role. However, “Collateral” is a unique example of his filmography, forcing him to share the screen with an equally compelling co-star.

While Tom Cruise may have been given lead billing, Jamie Foxx is unquestionably the film’s star. “Collateral” is built upon Max’s narrative arc, showing how Vincent changes his view of the world. Foxx plays the role with vulnerability, highlighting the character’s humanity against a cold world. A cab driver with simple ambitions, Max isn’t prepared for the violence Vincent subjects him to. Feeling incredibly believable despite the premise’s outlandish nature, Jamie Foxx is both a relatable everyman and a fascinating contrast to Cruise. Vincent spends the film pushing his nihilistic philosophy onto Max, manipulating the repressed rage in Foxx’s performance. However, the cabbie ends up having a profound effect on the hitman, and their relationship is “Collateral’s” emotional center.

Despite Michael Mann’s reputation as an action maestro, this film is a character study at its core. “Collateral” is equal parts seedy thriller and intimate chamber piece, resting entirely upon Jamie Foxx’s rapport with Tom Cruise. Both men inspire a change in each other, even if they’re at odds by the climax. Vincent encourages Max to become a more proactive figure, ironically inspiring his hostage to take a stand against him. Jamie Foxx’s performance gradually gains confidence throughout the film, taking cues from his assertive co-star. Meanwhile, their connection reveals a spark of soul beneath Vincent’s ice-cold demeanor. He comes to care for Max, yet is ultimately unable to escape the prison of his violent masculinity.

Tom Cruise is much more than a blockbuster lead. While many only see him as a charming headliner, the man is a genuinely gifted performer. Arthouse dramas like “Eyes Wide Shut” and “Magnolia” proved Tom Cruise can do splendid work in a challenging role. Unlike many contemporary action heroes like Jason Statham, Cruise treats high-concept entertainment like an art form. He’s fighting on the front lines to preserve the theatrical experience and become the decade’s last genuine movie star. In doing so, Cruise has honed his craft, self-actualizing himself as a creative force behind the camera. That being said, his ambitions haven’t given him the chance to show off his true range in many years.

“Collateral” is a high point of Tom Cruise’s career and a celebration of all his strengths as an actor. Blending weighty themes with thrilling action sequences, Michael Mann reconstructs Tom Cruise’s image as a frightening force of destruction. While Vincent may possess Ethan Hunt and Maverick’s steadfast revolution, he is not a heroic figure. Cruise’s performance sacrifices his likability as a performer in favor of exploring the role’s darker nature. If it weren’t for his relationship with Max, Vincent would feel almost alien, completely disconnected from the human race. Playing such a pragmatic individual is no easy feat, yet Tom Cruise does so in truly spectacular fashion.