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Panic

Play trailer Poster for Panic R 2000 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Alex (William H. Macy) is going through a midlife crisis and it has become a very difficult time for him. His marriage is struggling, he's worried about his son, and his job of killing people for his family has become the most stressful part of his life. He seeks the help of a therapist and meets a woman in the waiting room that he connects with.
Panic

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This quirky little film about a gangster in therapy feels fresh and well-crafted.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Nesselson Variety 06/06/2008
A gently subversive outing full of nicely limned characters. Go to Full Review
Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News 06/07/2001
Bromell ... is adept at piercing the heart of dysfunctional family ties. Go to Full Review
Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution 05/17/2001
A-
It's less the plot than the texture that makes the film such an engaging surprise. Go to Full Review
JoBlo JoBlo's Movie Network 04/29/2011
6/10
Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal 09/17/2010
4/4
Singlehandedly, William H. Macy turns "Panic" into a slimmed-down "American Beauty" - a passive man lashing out to break a cycle of dissatisfaction and familial strife for happiness, however fleeting. Go to Full Review
Eugene Novikov Film Blather 05/22/2003
A-
An unjustly abandoned film, one that should be seen immediately on the outside chance that it makes a stop in your town. It probably won't stay there long. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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David L Sep 16 the mother character was so incredibly cardboard. the "kid shooting the squirrel" scene was completely unbelievable. the coincidence (no spoilers) was absurd. the writer(s) put words into the little boy's mouth that no kid would say. See more Aug 5 Slow and absurd film. It's put together as though it was written as it goes along. Poor waste of top notch talent. See more Horror fan 4 Jul 15 An enjoyable movie with a great performance by William H Macy. Rip John Ritter. Tim Treakle See more Alain E @AlainE Jun 25 Very enjoyable. Next time you are viewing artsy products on Etsy, think how many of the sellers have a second job dispatching people. William Macy interprets superbly your average married contract killer who experiences a midlife crisis when he meets a hot young thing at his psychotherapist’s waiting room. He has learned to resolve a crisis with bullets, so in the final scene we are witnessing his young son undergoing therapy. See more tmd t 10/27/2024 Panic brings an intriguing premise to the screen: Alex, a hitman facing a personal crisis, seeks out therapy and finds himself at a crossroads between his dangerous family business, a tempting new connection, and the life he’s built for his family. While the film has moments that engage, it ultimately leaves much to be desired, making it a mixed viewing experience. Plot and Premise The story centers on Alex, who reveals to his therapist that he’s a professional killer. As he opens up, he becomes infatuated with Sarah, a young woman he meets in the waiting room. This new attraction complicates his already tangled emotions, especially as he contemplates his next assignment, which his father handed down: killing the very therapist he’s confiding in. The flashbacks add depth to Alex’s character, showing how he fell into the life of a hitman under his father’s guidance. Character Dynamics The film explores Alex’s relationships with those around him, particularly Sarah, his therapist, and his family. While his interactions with Sarah are intriguing, the chemistry between them feels uneven at times. Alex’s inner conflict and his sense of duty to his family provide some compelling moments, but these are not fully fleshed out. His journey with the therapist has the potential for suspense and introspection, yet it often feels underdeveloped, which may leave viewers wanting more from these key relationships. Themes and Execution Thematically, Panic tries to balance suspense with a character-driven story about purpose, family loyalty, and redemption. However, the movie struggles to sustain a consistent tone, making it difficult to fully engage with the stakes or feel invested in Alex’s dilemma. The flashbacks give some insight into his past, but the story doesn’t quite reach the emotional depth it aims for. It feels like the film stops just short of exploring the complexity of Alex’s moral conflict. Final Thoughts Overall, Panic has an interesting foundation and some compelling ideas, but its uneven pacing and underdeveloped character arcs prevent it from reaching its potential. It exceeded my initial expectations in some areas, such as its premise and occasional suspenseful moments, but it ultimately left me wanting more. I’d rate Panic a 5 out of 10 — it’s a film with promise that unfortunately doesn’t quite live up to it. 1. Character Development Did the film do enough to explore Alex’s emotional turmoil and his journey toward self-understanding? Could more time have been spent on his backstory or therapy sessions? 2. Tone and Genre Does Panic work better as a thriller, a character study, or a combination of both? Did the mix of suspense and introspection come across effectively, or did it feel uneven? 3. Moral Conflict How well does the film portray Alex’s struggle between his family loyalty, his role as a hitman, and his desire for a different life? Are his motivations clear and believable? See more Goatllama D @Goatllama 12/27/2023 Discount American Beauty. See more Read all reviews
Panic

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Movie Info

Synopsis Alex (William H. Macy) is going through a midlife crisis and it has become a very difficult time for him. His marriage is struggling, he's worried about his son, and his job of killing people for his family has become the most stressful part of his life. He seeks the help of a therapist and meets a woman in the waiting room that he connects with.
Director
Henry Bromell
Producer
Matt Cooper, Andrew Lazar, Lori Miller
Screenwriter
Henry Bromell
Distributor
Roxie Releasing, Artisan Entertainment
Production Co
Tin Toy Productions, Llc, Artisan Entertainment, Mad Chance, Vault
Rating
R (Language|Elements of Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 22, 2000, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$775.8K
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)