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Don't Say a Word

Play trailer Poster for Don't Say a Word R 2001 1h 53m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
24% Tomatometer 114 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Andrea Beach Common Sense Media Viewers who like dark psychological thrillers and being kept on the edge of their seats will find this one well worth watching. Rated: 4/5 Nov 11, 2025 Full Review Pat Stacey The Herald (Ireland) Don't Say a Word is mediocre, shrink-wrapped Hollywood pap. Oct 17, 2017 Full Review Kit Bowen Hollywood.com Rated: 2/5 Nov 20, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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A. ERUNDIL M Interesante pelicula Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review Driko F Filmaço, o legal é as reviravoltas que ele dá, os envolvidos que surpreendem mas o mais interessante é a forma que as histórias vão se interligando, vale a pena o play! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/02/25 Full Review G R 6-7/10. Putting stars a but higher. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/25 Full Review TheMovieSearch R Don’t Say a Word is one of those early 2000s thrillers that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. It’s powerful, tense, and emotionally layered, even with a few uneven moments sprinkled throughout. What keeps it alive and engaging, though, is the strength of its performances — particularly Michael Douglas, who once again proves that no matter the genre, he brings authority and authenticity to every frame. He anchors the film with a commanding presence, giving it the gravitas it needs to stay gripping from start to finish. The movie doesn’t waste much time pulling you into its dark and desperate atmosphere. Yes, there are moments that drag or make you think the story’s starting to lose steam, but then the tension snaps right back with an intense sequence or emotional payoff that reels you in again. It’s this balance between quiet unease and explosive energy that keeps Don’t Say a Word from ever feeling dull. Brittany Murphy is absolutely unforgettable here. Watching her performance is bittersweet — it’s a haunting reminder of the raw, undeniable talent she had and how much further her career could’ve gone had her life not been cut short. Her portrayal brings such depth, fragility, and unpredictability that she becomes the emotional core of the film. Every time she’s on screen, she completely owns it. From a technical standpoint, the direction is sharp and deliberate. You can tell the director and assistant director worked closely to keep the tension tight and the pacing under control. While the screenplay has a few hiccups — occasionally leaning into predictable dialogue or slightly overexplained plot points — the team behind the camera manages to smooth most of it out through smart editing and emotional focus. What really stands out about Don’t Say a Word is how well it blends psychological tension with genuine human emotion. It’s not just about solving a mystery or surviving a crisis; it’s about the personal stakes, the fear, and the lengths people will go to protect what they love. In the end, it’s a gripping and well-executed thriller that still holds up today. Michael Douglas delivers a powerhouse performance, and Brittany Murphy shines as a haunting reminder of a career gone too soon. It’s not perfect, but it’s emotional, intense, and incredibly memorable — a film that proves sometimes great acting can elevate even the simplest story into something special. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/28/25 Full Review Aun M such a wonderful mysterious and thrilling movie. Excellent story and excellent performance. All the way movie wouldn't let you bore. I highly recommend it Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/27/25 Full Review Nicolette M Awesome movie for a lazy night. Michael Douglas steals the show but his co stars are every bit as enjoyable. Loved the story and the flow and the pace. Well done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Don't Say a Word

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Movie Info

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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