Wes Craven’s Red Eye looks like a meet-cute for about five minutes, then flips into a pressure-cooker thriller once Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) realizes the charming stranger next to her, Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy), isn’t flirting; he’s forcing her to help a plot targeting a U.S. official by threatening her father’s life.
What Happens On The Plane At 40,000 Feet?
Lisa tries multiple ways to get help mid-flight, but Jackson stays close enough to block her every move. When the plane finally lands, Lisa makes her boldest move: she stabs Jackson in the throat with a pen, grabs his phone, and bolts off the aircraft to stop the plan and save her dad.
That’s the “win” in the sky: Lisa breaks free, turns the tables, and escapes with the one thing she needs to warn everyone.
Does Lisa Stop The Assassination Attempt?
Yes, barely. After Lisa gets off the plane, she manages to warn her coworker at the hotel to clear the targeted room. The missile still hits, but the people meant to be inside get out in time.
So the bigger plan fails, even though the damage is still real.
Who Wins The Final Showdown?
Jackson doesn’t stay down. He follows Lisa to her father’s home, and the movie shifts into a last-chance survival fight. Lisa ends up shooting Jackson, and her father also fires a final shot as he wakes up and sees Lisa in danger. Jackson dies there.
Lisa wins, not because she’s stronger than him, but because she refuses to stay trapped, keeps thinking under pressure, and fights back when it counts.
What The Ending Is Really Saying
The last beat isn’t about the “bad guy gets it” moment; it’s about Lisa reclaiming control after being manipulated and threatened for most of the story. Entertainment Weekly notes the ending lands on Lisa looking empowered, even in smaller everyday ways, signaling she’s done being pushed around.
