The Unexpected Collaboration That Led to the Ultimate Action Fiasco
Knight and Day: Tom Cruise's Action Flick with a Twist Exhilarating stunts, unexpected plot twists, and Cruise's charm make this a must-watch action adventure Find out how Knight and Day keeps you guessing until the very end!
Big studios will continue to rely on notable celebrities to sell questionable films, even though the individuals involved may change. It is evident that profit, rather than artistic merit, often drives the decision to cast major stars in high-budget roles. This can be seen in the case of Knight and Day, where even the star power of Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise on the movie poster couldn't salvage the project.
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV holds a unique position as one of the celebrities who has had a significant cultural impact. By 1986, he had become a force to be reckoned with at the box office, and by 1999, he had earned respect as a serious actor. However, his behavior in the early 2000s became the subject of ridicule, as his involvement with a controversial cult became public knowledge. Now, Cruise is credited with revitalizing blockbuster cinema, and his unwavering star power has been the only constant throughout his career.
What is Knight and Day about?
June Havens, a skilled restorer of classic cars, unexpectedly crosses paths with Roy Miller, a peculiar secret agent with a target on his back. Unbeknownst to June, the CIA believes she is connected to Roy, leading them to orchestrate their demise. To their surprise, June finds herself on a plane alongside Roy and a group of hired killers. Witnessing Roy eliminate his enemies and realizing the gravity of the situation, June understands that she has become entangled in something far larger than she anticipated. Recognizing the danger she faces, Roy determines that it is safer for June to accompany him as he carries out his mission.
Roy's mission revolves around protecting Simon Feck, a brilliant inventor who has created a revolutionary, self-sustaining energy source called the Zephyr battery. Facing betrayal from his own colleague, CIA agent John Fitzgerald, Roy is falsely accused of theft and finds himself on the run from the country's intelligence network. Additionally, a Spanish arms dealer named Antonio Quintana is hot on Roy's trail, unleashing a constant stream of assassins and soldiers to eliminate him. Roy and June journey across multiple countries, racing to safeguard Simon's invention and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance and a blossoming romance between Roy and June, the cross-country chase intensifies, threatening to escalate into an all-out war.
What is Knight and Day's Rotten Tomatoes score?
Knight and Day received a 52% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes. Out of the 234 critics who reviewed the film, 121 gave it a positive rating while 113 were less favorable. It received an average rating of 5.6 out of 10. Audiences also had a lukewarm response, with only 49% giving it a positive rating. Reviewers generally praised the performances of Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, considering them to be the film's only redeeming factor. However, the majority of reviews criticized Knight and Day for being dull, forgettable, repetitive, and lacking purpose.
Financially, Knight and Day performed decently, earning $262 million against its $117 million budget. It is recommended to double the production budget to account for marketing, which would suggest a pure profit of around $28 million. The film's opening weekend was considered disappointing, attributed in part to negative word-of-mouth. There was a significant decline in viewership after the first day of screenings, and some critics unfairly targeted Cameron Diaz's age as a reason for the film's failure. However, the true lesson from Knight and Day is that relying solely on star power without offering meaningful content is not a sustainable approach, rather than suggesting a decline in the star power of women.
How does Knight and Day end?
Roy orchestrates a trade with Quintana, offering to sell him the Zephyr while plotting to have Fitzgerald abducted by Quintana's men. The CIA intercepts the deal and escorts June back home. Determined to uncover Roy's true identity, June tracks down his parents' house and discovers his real name is Matthew Knight. Leaving a message on her own phone, June tricks Quintana into believing she possesses the Zephyr, resulting in her own kidnapping. Roy locates Quintana and successfully rescues June. Their escape leads to a thrilling car chase across Spain, ultimately causing Quintana's demise in a bull stampede. Forced by Fitzgerald, Roy trades the Zephyr for Simon, but Fitzgerald still attempts to eliminate Simon. Roy takes the bullet instead, causing the Zephyr to explode. Roy wakes up in a hospital where the CIA pledges to reinstate him, but the government intends to eliminate him to prevent the leakage of sensitive information. Luckily, June comes to his rescue, and together they drive off into the sunset.
Knight and Day lacks any semblance of artistic integrity, appearing as a film devoid of noble intentions. Perhaps one of the twelve writers initially had a notion for a promising espionage flick, yet the finished product reveals its true motives. This predictable star-driven blockbuster offers nothing remarkable enough to impart any meaningful insights.
