Houkutus

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. (06.12.2005)

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%. (25.07.2006)

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. (05.08.2011)

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. (28.07.2007)

Cheating is messy business, and in Derailed, things get way out of hand for Owen and Aniston’s characters. Without giving away too much, let’s just say it’s more than your typical affair-gone-wrong story. I really enjoyed the film—great concept, a solid dose of tension, and strong performances across the board. The standout for me was Vincent Cassel as the villain. Normally, I can’t stand him, but here he just fit perfectly. Cassel didn’t drag the film down at all, and for the full 100 minutes, I was on edge wondering what was going to happen next. In the end, it’s more than just a tale about infidelity—it throws you into a scenario that’s as improbable as a fish falling from the sky, but somehow, it works. The film’s got energy, a clever twist, and enough suspense to keep your pulse racing the whole way through. (28.04.2011)