Tom Cruise is quite possibly the cinema’s last great movie star. His films are cinematic events, promising audiences jaw-dropping thrills that demand to be seen on the big screen. The Mission Impossible franchise has proven remarkably sturdy, with each installment proving to be a consistently thrilling action extravaganza. Top Gun: Maverick has all but solidified its leading man as cinema’s savior, becoming a post-pandemic box office smash. Against expectations, Cruise reminded viewers that tentpole filmmaking is still alive and well in Hollywood. In the process, he became the industry’s ultimate action hero and a creative bright spot within the studio system. However, Tom Cruise’s best performance is far different from his recent blockbuster publications.

Directed by Michael Mann, Collateral is a gritty thriller evocative of neo-noir. The film starred Jamie Foxx as Max, a cab driver saving up to start his own limo company. However, the cabbie’s night is hijacked by his last customer, Vincent, a ruthless assassin played by Tom Cruise. Cast wonderfully against type, Cruise earned rave reviews for his chilling performance. The role pushed him much further than as an actor, demanding range and tranquil fury in place of charisma. An enigmatic figure, Vincent is both a deconstruction of Tom Cruise’s public image and one of Michael Mann’s archetypal lonely men.

Micheal Mann & Tom Cruise Were a Perfect Match

Franchises like Mission Impossible can’t be built without dedication. One of the hardest workers in the industry, Tom Cruise has devoted himself to generating high-octane entertainment. Willing to risk his life for death-defying stunt work, the man has developed a reputation for his commitment to quality. This off-screen notoriety has bled into many of Cruise’s roles, as he frequently plays individuals defined by their resolve. Collateral‘s Vincent maintains that trademark perseverance, coming across like a human terminator throughout Collateral‘s climax. His persistence as a contract killer mirrors Cruise’s work ethic towards filmmaking, albeit within a much less ethical profession. In many ways, Vincent is the inverse of Tom Cruise’s on-screen persona, and a figure befitting Collateral’s director.

Michael Mann has always expressed a fascination with masculinity throughout his career. Ever since his debut with Thief, the filmmaker has explored individuals who dedicate themselves to their profession. Obsessed with illustrating how men throw away their humanity to become professionals, Mann’s films frequently deconstruct typical notions of masculinity. Characters like Heat‘s Neal McCauley and Manhunter‘s Will Graham are examples of protagonists who feel alienated from the outside world. Mann’s leads are trapped within the confines of their career, unable to form human connections outside their occupation. Vincent is no exception, as he is a broken soul consumed by empty violence. This character provides Mann the chance to present Tom Cruise through a far more cynical lens.

How Collateral’s Vincent Compares to Tom Cruise’s Other Roles

Few actors possess a more distinct typecast than Tom Cruise. Having built his current career on carefully crafted archetypes, Cruise’s filmography is littered with familiar motifs. Characters like Maverick, Ethan Hunt, and William Cage all rebel against an oppressive command structure for the sake of the greater good. Frequently pitted against doubt and systemic corruption, Cruise’s leading roles endure and inspire loyalty in the face of insurmountable odds. In recent years, these narrative figures have become synonymous with Tom Cruise himself as a pop culture icon. The public sees the man as a shining star of individualism, as it’s a recurring motif throughout his cinematic pantheon. Collateral gives Cruise a similar role, yet frames his character in an entierly different light.

On paper, Vincent fits in right alongside his performer’s collection of eccentric action heroes. He’s an expert in his field and master of strategic improvisation, much like Cruise’s character in the Mission Impossible films. Throughout Collateral‘s runtime, the assassin rarely loses his cool and remains focused on his objective. It’s a role befitting Tom Cruise as a consummate professional, and he plays the part perfectly. With his slick-backed hair and tailored suit, Vincent’s attire reflects a man devoted to his occupation. However, Cruise delivers a noticeably darker performance than one would expect given his current work in the action genre. More than a rebel against bureaucracy, Vincent is a callow nihilist capable of brutal violence.

Collateral is ultimately a deconstructive view of hitmen within the crime thriller genre. Whereas films like Pulp Fiction tend to glamorize assassins as suave, charismatic figures, Micheal Mann has more honest thematic aspirations. Dehumanized by the nature of contract killing, Vincent is unable to form substantial emotional connections. The film makes it clear that Vincent views himself as nothing more than a mechanism for violence. When accused of murder, he simply states “I shot him, the bullets and the fall killed him.” Tom Cruise plays the role with the same tenacity he brought to Ethan Hunt and Maverick. However, in the context of Collateral, that kind of performance serves to demonstrate the terrifying nature of Vincent’s personality.

Tom Cruise Paves New Ground by Playing Off Jamie Foxx

Tom Cruise is often seen as a one-man show. Many of his most recent films are built entirely around his star power, and he rarely performs as part of an ensemble piece. People didn’t go to see Top Gun Maverick for Jon Hamm or Miles Teller, they went for Tom Cruise. Audiences expect his work to be star vehicles for their lead’s idiosyncratic charm, even if he has a strong supporting cast. In the past, Tom Cruise has even hijacked productions like The Mummy to give himself a greater role. However, Collateral is a unique example of his filmography, forcing him to share the screen with an equally compelling co-star.

While Tom Cruise may have been given lead billing, Jamie Foxx is unquestionably the film’s star. Collateral is built upon Max’s narrative arc, showing how Vincent changes his view of the world. Foxx plays the role with vulnerability, highlighting the character’s humanity against a cold world. A cab driver with simple ambitions, Max isn’t prepared for the violence Vincent subjects him to. Feeling incredibly believable despite the premise’s outlandish nature, Jamie Foxx is both a relatable everyman and a fascinating contrast to Cruise. Vincent spends the film pushing his nihilistic philosophy onto Max, manipulating the repressed rage in Foxx’s performance. However, the cabbie ends up having a profound effect on the hitman, and their relationship is Collateral‘s emotional center.

Despite director Michael Mann’s reputation as an action maestro, this film is a character study at its core. Collateral is equal parts seedy thriller and intimate chamber piece, resting entirely upon Jamie Foxx’s rapport with Tom Cruise. Both men inspire a change in each other, even if they’re at odds by the climax. Vincent encourages Max to become a more proactive figure, ironically inspiring his hostage to take a stand against him. Jamie Foxx’s performance gradually gains confidence throughout the film, taking cues from his assertive co-star. Meanwhile, their connection reveals a spark of soul beneath Vincent’s ice-cold demeanor. He comes to care for Max, yet is ultimately unable to escape the prison of his violent masculinity.

Tom Cruise Keeps Pushing Himself to New Heights

Tom Cruise has never been one to shy away from roles outside of his norm, but his villainous role in a 2004 film is his best performance yet.

Tom Cruise is much more than a blockbuster lead. While many only see him as a charming headliner, the man is a genuinely gifted performer. Arthouse dramas like Eyes Wide Shut and Magnolia proved Tom Cruise can do splendid work in a challenging role. Unlike many contemporary action heroes like Jason Statham, Cruise treats high-concept entertainment like an art form. He’s fighting on the front lines to preserve the theatrical experience and become the decade’s last genuine movie star. In doing so, Cruise has honed his craft, self-actualizing himself as a creative force behind the camera. That being said, his ambitions haven’t given him the chance to show off his true range in many years.

Collateral is a high point of Tom Cruise’s career and a celebration of all his strengths as an actor. Blending weighty themes with thrilling action sequences, Micheal Mann reconstructs Tom Cruise’s image as a frightening force of destruction. While Vincent may possess Ethan Hunt and Maverick’s steadfast revolution, he is not a heroic figure. Cruise’s performance sacrifices his likability as a performer in favor of exploring the role’s darker nature. If it weren’t for his relationship with Max, Vincent would feel almost alien, completely disconnected from the human race. Playing such a pragmatic individual is no easy feat, yet Tom Cruise does so in truly spectacular fashion.