Tom Cruise rarely steps into the shoes of a villain, but when he does, audiences remember. Before his recent box-office stumble with Digger, Cruise delivered one of his most chilling performances in Michael Mann's Collateral—a sleek, neo-noir thriller that has been a favorite on Peacock. But if you haven't watched it yet, you're running out of time: the film is set to leave the streaming service on November 1, 2026.
In Collateral, Cruise plays Vincent, a hitman who commandeers a taxi for a night of assassinations across Los Angeles. Jamie Foxx stars as the cab driver, Max, who becomes an unwilling accomplice. The supporting cast includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, and Peter Berg, all adding depth to this tense, stylish thriller.
The film was a major hit upon its release in 2004, grossing around $220 million worldwide against a $65 million budget. It also earned critical acclaim, holding a "Certified Fresh" 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised Mann's visual flair and Cruise's lean, menacing turn, calling it "a stylish and compelling noir thriller."
One of the film's most talked-about moments is a brief cameo by Jason Statham, who plays an unnamed man who crosses paths with Vincent. Fans have long speculated that Statham's character is actually Frank Martin, the protagonist of the Transporter series—a fun Easter egg that adds to the movie's cult appeal.
Collateral also holds a special place in film history as one of the first major studio productions shot on high-definition video, a format Mann would further explore in his next film, Miami Vice. That digital look gives the movie a gritty, immediate feel that still resonates today.
For Cruise, Collateral remains his most memorable villainous role, even though he earned a Golden Globe nomination for his comedic turn in Tropic Thunder (2008). His recent Digger was a massive box-office bomb, projected to lose around $250 million, so it's unlikely he'll be playing the bad guy again anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Mann is reportedly developing a sequel to his crime epic Heat, and Cruise is gearing up for a Days of Thunder sequel. But for now, fans can revisit Collateral on Peacock before it disappears. If you're a fan of Tom Cruise's other streaming departures, you might want to catch this one while you can.
For more on Cruise's recent career, check out our ranking of his 2020s movies. And if you're curious about other titles leaving streaming soon, keep an eye on our departure alerts.
