Overview
A hitman grapples with his dark past while navigating unexpected feelings for a woman he can't have.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- witty
- quirky
- quiet evening
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's excellent acting, originality, moral wit, and measured independent-crime storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alex's father initiates him into contract killing and continues directing his work, making family obligation inseparable from criminal identity.
The film pairs Alex's profession as a hit man with sad-eyed introspection, measured rhythms, and quirky yet morally serious humor.
Alex reveals his profession, attraction to Sarah, and personal turmoil during psychotherapy sessions with the intended target of his next assignment.
The criminal conflict unfolds around Alex's therapy, marriage, child, father's demands, and visits to Sarah's apartment rather than through grand criminal spectacle.
Films like Panic, and why
The Limey
shares darkly comic crime storytelling, moral unease, and an offbeat neo-noir atmosphere
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
shares a conflicted criminal protagonist, deadpan humor, and intimate psychological drama
The Ice Harvest
shares black comedy, criminal family dynamics, and a protagonist seeking escape from violence
The American
shares measured pacing, existential malaise, and morally complicated crime drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Henry Bromell
- Release Date
- 2000-12-01
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (128)
Cast
- William H. Macy
- Neve Campbell
- Tracey Ullman
- John Ritter
- Barbara Bain
- Miguel Sandoval
- Donald Sutherland
- Tina Lifford
- Nicholle Tom
- Steven Moreno
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Panic about?
- A family-bred hit man seeks emotional escape through therapy and an unlikely attraction while resisting his father's command to kill his therapist.
- What is Panic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Panic as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Panic violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Panic as moderate.
- What did critics think of Panic?
- Critics broadly praised the film's excellent acting, originality, moral wit, and measured independent-crime storytelling.
- Which films are like Panic?
- Films with a similar feel include The Limey, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Ice Harvest, and The American.
- How long is Panic?
- Panic runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Panic?
- In United States, Panic is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube.
