Everything’s normal, but then a body falls out of the sky. That scenario sounds more like a writing prompt than an inciting incident for a crime thriller, but one 2004 movie takes this shock plot twist and turns it into a game of cat and mouse between an all-powerful villain and an unassuming hero — with both roles played by action movie powerhouses. It’s a masterclass in how to craft a thriller that places as much emphasis on character as action, and it’s essential viewing for movie fans everywhere before it leaves HBO Max on July 31.
