Fans of smart, stylish heist thrillers have a limited window to catch one of the genre's best on Netflix. Inside Man, the 2006 collaboration between director Spike Lee and star Denzel Washington, is set to exit the streaming service on October 1. If you haven't seen it, or if you're in the mood for a rewatch, now's the time.
The film, which also features Clive Owen and Jodie Foster, was a critical and commercial smash when it debuted. It opened with a then-career-best $28 million for Washington, surpassing the $22 million opening of his earlier hit Man on Fire. Ultimately, it grossed over $185 million worldwide against a modest $60 million budget, making it the biggest box-office success of Lee's career.
Set in New York City, Inside Man follows a bank robber (Owen) who takes hostages and engages in a tense standoff with a police negotiator (Washington). Meanwhile, a powerful fixer (Foster) is hired by the bank's president to protect a secret. The film's clever plot and sharp dialogue earned it a Certified Fresh 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Lee's energetic direction and the film's ability to subvert genre expectations.
Not everyone was a fan, though. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw famously called it "supremely annoying and nonsensical," a quote that has become part of the film's lore. Despite the mixed critical take from some, audiences embraced it, and it has since become a staple of cable TV and streaming rotations.
Interestingly, Inside Man hasn't spawned the same kind of franchise as other thrillers from that era. A sequel, Inside Man: Most Wanted, was released direct-to-video in 2019, but it didn't involve Lee, Washington, or the original cast. Instead, it starred Aml Ameen and Rhea Seehorn and was largely forgotten.
If you're a fan of Washington's other crime thrillers, or if you're looking for a smart, engaging movie to watch this weekend, Inside Man is a must-see. And if you're in the mood for more underrated thrillers, check out our list of thrillers to rewatch for hidden layers. For another great spy thriller leaving Netflix soon, don't miss Ralph Fiennes' underrated spy thriller.
So mark your calendars: Inside Man leaves Netflix on October 1. Don't let this one get away.
