Derailed

This thriller is built on a whirlwind of powerful twists, some of which are surprising, some implausible and too calculated, some very good and the last one unnecessary. It is surely a powerful experience for viewers who haven’t explored its genre siblings. I myself must admit that it drew me in and didn’t let me go. But only for those 100 minutes, as its vivacity is minimal. (12/06/2005)

While a considerable part of my fellow reviewers obviously guessed everything and knew exactly when everything would happen, I am glad that I was not among them, and that I let myself be led by this genre chameleon into various dramatic and blind alleys, from which the script led me to an excellent conclusion. Clive Owen was experiencing a period at that time when everything he touched turned into gold and mainly thanks to him, Derailed works as an emotionally charged drama about life certainties as well as a nerve-wracking thriller. Twists always change everything and everyone, and the chill down the spine doesn't go away for the entire second half. The only flaw in the beauty is Vincent Cassel, whom the script pushes into the position of an omnipresent deadly nemesis, but at the time he still didn't have enough natural charisma. (07/28/2007)

Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen in a suspenseful thriller whose main strengths are A-list acting, unpredictable twists and turns, and the suspense of seeing how the whole thing will turn out. Jackpot! Derailed manages to deftly work the tension, gradually build up the atmosphere and transfer that real concern for the main character to the viewer, something that hasn't been happening lately with similar genre films, so for that alone I can't help but rate it an honest four stars. It's good stuff. (Although an experienced viewer with a little effort will see through the twist at the beginning.) (09/04/2022)

One of those perfectly thought out thrillers that completely disarms you. Both Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen surprised me quite a bit with their above average acting. Vincent Cassel again played the perfect bad guy... until I felt like he wasn't acting. That's how I like it: smart, action packed, sufficiently convoluted, and surprising. It started out so innocently, but the movie became more watchable by the minute. A strong 4 stars. (08/04/2011)

A very average thriller that is mostly watchable thanks to Clive Owen in the lead role, decent pacing, and a few successful moments. TV star Jennifer Aniston is surprisingly bland and forgettable. The film can be seen as a screenwriting exercise full of plot twists that can be divided into two groups. The first are easily predictable and clichéd for genre fans, and the second are unexpected but all the more implausible and improbable. Viewers who are used to thinking critically will start to ask questions like, "How is it possible that...?" or "How did he know that...?" Overall impression: 50%. (07/25/2006)