Collateral

Collateral

Year: 2004

Runtime: 120 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Mann

DramaThrillerCrime

A weary cab driver named Max finds his life turned upside down when Vincent, a meticulous and dangerous hitman, hires him for a seemingly simple ride. What begins as a routine evening quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal as Max is forced to chauffeur Vincent through the city, witnessing and becoming entangled in a series of calculated murders. As the night progresses, Max must confront his own sense of morality while desperately trying to stay alive and uncover the reason behind Vincent's deadly mission.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Collateral yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Collateral (2004) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Collateral (2004), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Cab driver Max Durocher (Jamie Foxx) finds himself drawn into a deadly game when he drives U.S. Justice Department prosecutor Annie Farrell (Jada Pinkett Smith) to her office as she prepares for an important drug indictment case. Before long, Vincent (Tom Cruise), a mysterious passenger, enters Max’s cab and hands him a staggering $6000 to chauffeur him through five different appointments.

As Max nervously awaits at the first stop, he is shocked to see Vincent enter an apartment complex, only to emerge moments later with the body of drug dealer Ramone Ayala, who unexpectedly lands on Max’s cab—revealing Vincent to be a hired assassin. Forced to comply with Vincent’s orders, Max must dispose of the body, clean the cab, and continue on this horrific journey. Just when police arrive to investigate the damaged vehicle, they are redirected to a higher priority call, allowing Vincent to keep his dark secret hidden.

Max becomes a pawn in Vincent’s violent agenda as he witnesses the cold-blooded murder of attorney Sylvester Clarke. After a failed attempt to seek help from bystanders, who instead rob him, Max is further dragged into Vincent’s chaos. The situation escalates when Vincent insists on visiting Max’s mother, Ida (Irma P. Hall), in the hospital, where he pretends to be one of Max’s colleagues. Disturbed by this unexpected camaraderie, Max runs off in a panic, discarding Vincent’s briefcase into the depths of a freeway.

With Vincent’s target list destroyed, the stakes skyrocket as he coerces Max into confronting drug lord Felix Reyes-Torrena (Javier Bardem). Posing as Vincent, Max meets Felix, successfully obtaining a USB flash drive that holds the names of the remaining targets. Meanwhile, LAPD Detective Ray Fanning (Mark Ruffalo) makes a critical connection between the murders and the indictment case against Felix, prompting him to alert the authorities.

As they converge on the nightclub where Peter Lim, the final target, is located, chaos erupts when Vincent eliminates Lim and all of his guards, leaving a trail of violence in his wake. Fanning tries to save Max amidst the chaos but falls victim to Vincent’s wrath. In a gripping confrontation, Max seizes control by crashing the cab deliberately, revealing the corpse hidden in the trunk to the officers that arrive on the scene.

Realizing Annie is Vincent’s next victim, Max races against time to reach her, overpowering law enforcement and bursting into her office just in time to save her by shooting Vincent. With suspense building, they board a metro rail train, pursued by their relentless assailant. As tensions peak, Max’s final act of defiance results in a climactic shootout where he manages to fatally injure Vincent.

In the aftermath, Vincent’s lifeless body slumps down, repeating a haunting anecdote he had shared earlier about a man unnoticed on a train for six hours. As dawn breaks, Max and Annie step off at the next station, having survived a night filled with terror and violence, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:09

Unlock the Full Story of Collateral

Don't stop at just watching — explore Collateral in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Collateral is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Collateral Timeline

Track the full timeline of Collateral with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Collateral Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Collateral

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Collateral. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Collateral

More About Collateral

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Collateral: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Collateral

Similar Movies to Collateral

Discover movies like Collateral that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.