Netflix subscribers are obsessed with this spooky, star-studded thriller from the 2000s
One of the most famous actors of the 80s and 90s, Michael Douglas is known for his iconic thrillers like “Fatal Attraction” and “Basic Instinct.” He brought this megawatt star power into the 21st century with “Don’t Say a Word,” which tells the disturbing story of an innocent family besieged by murderous jewel thieves and the troubled young woman who holds the key to saving them.
Released in 2001, this Thanksgiving thriller follows Dr. Nathan Conrad (Douglas), a respected New York City child psychologist, and his new patient Elisabeth Burrows (Brittany Murphy) at the state sanitarium. Conrad thinks Elisabeth is faking her catatonia, but she has more problems than he thinks. Notorious jewel thief Patrick Koster (Sean Bean) is searching for a stolen jewel, and only Elisabeth knows its location. Koster kidnaps Conrad’s young daughter (Skye McCole Bartusiak) to force him to make Elisabeth talk – but as she whispers over and over, she “will never tell.”
“Don’t Say a Word” has an all-star cast: in addition to Douglas, Murphy and Bean, the film features Famke Janssen, Jennifer Esposito, Oliver Platt and the young Lance Reddick. It’s easy to see why “Don’t Say a Word” has blown away audiences on Netflix, with the fall thriller currently ranking among the ten most-watched films available on the streaming service (via FlixPatrol).
Read more: Actors You May Not Know Have Died
Critics and audiences praised Brittany Murphy’s performance
Elisabeth hugs her doll in the institution in Don’t Say a Word (2001) – 20th Century Fox
Upon its release, “Don’t Say a Word” was panned by critics. Considered one of Michael Douglas’ less important films, it has a 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. CNN critic Paul Clinton called the film “well-crafted” and a “thrilling diversion”, but also noted that the release of a violent thriller set in Manhattan was ill-timed in the weeks following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
One aspect of “Don’t Say a Word” that was almost universally praised was the performance of the late Brittany Murphy as the vulnerable and traumatized Elisabeth. In his review, film critic Roger Ebert praised Murphy and Bartusiak for finding “their own rhythm and truth amid all this urgency,” while Kimberly Jones of the Austin Chronicle said the “Clueless” and “Girl, Interrupted” star “steals the show, something that’s quickly becoming old hat for her.” Contemporary audiences seem to agree; on Letterboxd, user Faithalice’s three-star review said, “All stars go to Brittany Murphy.” Today, Elisabeth Burrows is considered one of Brittany Murphy’s best roles.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our free newsletter to get the biggest film and TV news delivered straight to your inbox. You can also add us as your preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Looper.
