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Panic

Play trailer Poster for Panic R Released Jan 22, 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.
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Panic

Panic

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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 A gently subversive outing full of nicely limned characters. Jun 6, 2008 Full Review Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News Bromell ... is adept at piercing the heart of dysfunctional family ties. Jun 7, 2001 Full Review Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution It's less the plot than the texture that makes the film such an engaging surprise. Rated: A- May 17, 2001 Full Review JoBlo JoBlo's Movie Network Rated: 6/10 Apr 29, 2011 Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal 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. Rated: 4/4 Sep 17, 2010 Full Review Eugene Novikov Film Blather 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. Rated: A- May 22, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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tmd t 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? Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Goatllama D Discount American Beauty. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/27/23 Full Review Tim W Forget Wm H Macy - he's a already-known factor. The support cast makes him even better: Neve Campbell is at her best, so subtle and yet revealing. And that kid is such a SMART little actor: David Dorfman. This is a thrilling yet pondering movie. Worth watching twice! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/23 Full Review Steve D Too ridiculous to work as a drama. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review jelisije j A hit man goes to a local therapist to help solve the reason for his unhappiness meanwhile finding love in a girl half his age. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Too short. This movie is good but it’s under 90-minutes. The 1st and 2nd act were good but there was no 3rd act. Everything ends pretty abruptly. The plot is simple and easy to follow and the characters are well fleshed out given the limited screen time. This film should’ve been 20-minutes longer Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/02/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Panic

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Cast & Crew

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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, Mad Chance, Vault, Artisan Entertainment
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)
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