Panic Room

2002, Mystery & thriller, 1h 52m

185 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Elevated by David Fincher's directorial talent and Jodie Foster's performance, Panic Room is a well-crafted, above-average thriller. Read critic reviews

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Panic Room Videos

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Panic Room Photos

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Movie Info

Trapped in their New York brownstone's panic room, a hidden chamber built as a sanctuary in the event of break-ins, newly divorced Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her young daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with three intruders - Burnham (Forest Whitaker), Raoul (Dwight Yoakam) and Junior (Jared Leto) - during a brutal home invasion. But the room itself is the focal point because what the intruders really want is inside it.
  • Rating:
    R (Violence|Language)
  • Genre:
    Mystery & thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    David Fincher
  • Producer:
    Ceán Chaffin, Judy Hofflund, David Koepp, Gavin Polone
  • Writer:
    David Koepp
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $95.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Jodie Foster
Meg Altman
Forest Whitaker
Burnham
Dwight Yoakam
Raoul
Jared Leto
Junior
Kristen Stewart
Sarah Altman
Ann Magnuson
Lydia Lynch
Ian Buchanan
Evan Kurlander
Patrick Bauchau
Stephan Altman
Paul Schulze
Officer Keeney
David Fincher
Director
David Koepp
Writer
Ceán Chaffin
Producer
Judy Hofflund
Producer
David Koepp
Producer
Gavin Polone
Producer
Conrad W. Hall
Cinematography
Darius Khondji
Cinematography
Arthur Max
Production Design
Angus Wall
Film Editing
James Haygood
Film Editing
Howard Shore
Original Music
Michael Kaplan
Costume Design
Laray Mayfield
Casting
Denis L. Stewart
Unit Production Manager
Mike Topoozian
First Assistant Director
Bob Wagner
Second Assistant Director
Keith Neely
Art Director
James E. Tocci
Art Director
John S. Dorsey
Associate Producer
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Critic Reviews for Panic Room

All Critics (185) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (140) | Rotten (45)
Full Review… Namrata Joshi Outlook Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Todd McCarthy Variety Full Review… Caroline Westbrook Empire Magazine Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Full Review… Chris Ludovici The Spool Full Review… Marianna Neal Impression Blend Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Full Review… Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Full Review… Nick Rogers The Film Yap Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com
View All Critic Reviews (185)

Audience Reviews for Panic Room

  • Oct 18, 2020
    Music videos or shorts aside, David Fincher's Panic Room came at a time when he was actually at the peak of his powers after having already produced Fight Club (1999) and soon to deliver Zodiac (2005). That said, these works are so strong that Panic Room feels like a lesser work. That's not to say that there isn't much to admire, though. It's a tried-and-tested, home invasion formula but Fincher has a solid handling on the tension and injects some technical wizardry that adds to the overall setting. The performances are also excellent and much as it isn't exactly fresh material, Fincher is able to extract just enough mileage.
    Mark W Super Reviewer
  • Feb 19, 2017
    A suspense thriller that dazzles visually but begs one to leave common sense trapped in a steel plated room where no sense can get at it. It's got its moments of tension though.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 01, 2016
    Probably as good as it was ever going to be, We all knew what was going to happen but it did a good job of keeping us gripped at times plus the acting was pretty good, The ending had a little twist we could all see coming, It's an above average thriller that does stand the test of time.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 29, 2015
    Great cinematography and directing. The story is an original and doesn't stick to focal woman in distress tale. The movie is also well cast which takes it a long way.
    Jarrin R Super Reviewer
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