Before Cillian Murphy became a household name as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, he was already delivering chills in a taut, under-the-radar thriller. Now, that film is making its way to a new streaming home, giving audiences a fresh chance to see the Oscar winner in one of his most gripping early roles.
Red Eye, the 2005 suspense gem directed by horror maestro Wes Craven, will officially join the Starz lineup on June 1, 2026. The movie pairs Murphy with Rachel McAdams in a high-stakes game of psychological cat-and-mouse that unfolds at 30,000 feet.
A Flight to Remember
The plot is deceptively simple: hotel manager Lisa Reisert (McAdams) meets charming stranger Jackson Rippner (Murphy) at the airport and they end up seated together on a red-eye flight. What starts as a promising encounter quickly turns sinister when Jackson reveals he's not just a fellow traveler—he's a cold-blooded operative with a deadly agenda. Brian Cox also stars in a supporting role, adding to the film's impressive pedigree.
Directed by the late, great Wes Craven—best known for A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream—Red Eye proved that the horror icon could master the thriller genre with equal skill. The film earned strong reviews, holding an 80% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it as "slick fun" and "a simple, straightforward, surprisingly effective thriller with a minimum of gimmickry."
Box Office and Legacy
Released in 2005, Red Eye quietly grossed nearly $100 million worldwide against a modest $26 million budget. Its success was a testament to Craven's storytelling prowess and the electric chemistry between Murphy and McAdams. For fans of the decade's best suspense thrillers, this is a must-watch.
Murphy's career has since skyrocketed, with an Academy Award for Oppenheimer and his iconic turn in Peaky Blinders. Earlier this year, he reprised his role as Tommy Shelby in the Netflix film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which drew 25.3 million views in its first three days. The success was so massive that creator Steven Knight scrapped plans to end the saga, instead greenlighting two more six-episode seasons—though Murphy will not return.
What's Next for Cillian Murphy?
Looking ahead, Murphy is set to star in an untitled Damien Chazelle project and join the ensemble of A Quiet Place Part III, directed by John Krasinski. The threequel recently began production and will feature Emily Blunt and Jason Clarke alongside Murphy.
For now, fans can revisit one of his most underrated performances when Red Eye lands on Starz. If you're craving more edge-of-your-seat storytelling, check out Ridley Scott's 'Dope Thief' on Apple TV+ or explore Netflix's June 2026 lineup for more thrills.
Don't miss Red Eye on Starz starting June 1, 2026. It's a reminder that sometimes the most terrifying journeys are the ones that begin with a simple hello.
