Don't Say a Word

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Don't Say a Word

R

2001

1h 53m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

23%

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113 Reviews

49%

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50,000+ Ratings

Ruthless crook Patrick Koster (Sean Bean) and his partner capture young Jessie Conrad (Skye McCole Bartusiak) and hold her for an unusual ransom. Koster wants Jessie's therapist father, Nathan (Michael Douglas), to somehow coax traumatized teen Elisabeth (Brittany Murphy) into divulging a mysterious code number that will lead the criminals to a hidden jewel worth a fortune. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to convince the delusional Elisabeth to cooperate: she hasn't spoken in 10 years.

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Critics Consensus

Don't Say A Word is slick and competently made, but the movie is routine and stretches believability with many eye rolling moments.

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Manohla Dargis

L.A. Weekly

Fleder can only fling the camera about and indulge in some familiar screen sadism ... as he tries to squeeze a few thrills from material as desiccated as his leading man.

Oct 21, 2002

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Jane Crowther

BBC.com

A smart script and great casting elevate a pedestrian premise to the status of satisfying thriller.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 19, 2001

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Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

As an odyssey of paternal qualm, Fleder's forgettable thriller has a convincing edge, and Douglas remains unchallenged as Hollywood's most tremulous and disquieting dad-under-pressure.

Oct 2, 2001

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Pat Stacey

The Herald (Ireland)

Don't Say a Word is mediocre, shrink-wrapped Hollywood pap.

Oct 17, 2017

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Kit Bowen

Hollywood.com

Rated: 2/5

Nov 20, 2008

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Mary S

Great Halloween flick. I didn't follow the plotting to the end, but loved the visuals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/24/25

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John P

Reminiscent of the classic way of making a movie. Lots of suspense, mystery, drama, and intrigue. Excellent performances from whole cast, all very convincing in character. Very memorable and highly recommended. Ignore all the snippy reviews.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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Julianne C.

Good story. Good acting. Just watched it for the first time. It was very clean compared to current movies Michael Douglas was also in his mid 50s when he did this movie and looked great. He didn’t appear to have plastic surgery which is a refreshing change from what we watch today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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Frans B

Brilliant! Reminds of the classic way of making a movie, like "according to the book". Very well written and directed. Great cinematography. Lots of suspense, mystery, drama, intrigue and twists. Amazing performances from whole cast, all very convincing in character. Very memorable and highly recommended

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

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Alexander S

While Don’t Say a Word boasts a decent plot and gripping performances from Michael Douglas and the late Brittany Murphy, the story doesn’t quite reach the heights of a standout thriller. The direction veers off course, preventing the film from fully realizing its potential suspenseful storyline. Grading: C+

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

Full Review

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Gary Fleder

Director

Michael Douglas

Dr. Nathan Conrad

Sean Bean

Patrick B. Koster

Brittany Murphy

Elisabeth Burrows

Skye McCole Bartusiak

Jessie Conrad

Guy Torry

Martin J. Dolen

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26%

69%

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Synopsis

Ruthless crook Patrick Koster (Sean Bean) and his partner capture young Jessie Conrad (Skye McCole Bartusiak) and hold her for an unusual ransom. Koster wants Jessie's therapist father, Nathan (Michael Douglas), to somehow coax traumatized teen Elisabeth (Brittany Murphy) into divulging a mysterious code number that will lead the criminals to a hidden jewel worth a fortune. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to convince the delusional Elisabeth to cooperate: she hasn't spoken in 10 years.

Director: Gary Fleder
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
Screenwriter: Anthony Peckham, Patrick Smith Kelly, Andrew Klavan
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: New Regency Pictures, Kopelson Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Gruesome Images|Language|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $55.0M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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