Neither terrifying nor inspiring.
Untraceable (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:139
Fresh:20
Rotten:119
Average Rating:4.2/10
Consensus: Despite Diane Lane's earnest effort, Untraceable manages to be nothing more than a run-of-the-mill thriller with a hypocritical message.
Rated: 18 [See Full Rating] for some prolonged sequences of strong gruesome violence, and language.
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:29-02-2008
Synopsis: Directed by Gregory Hoblit (FRACTURE, PRIMAL FEAR), UNTRACEABLE follows F.B.I. cybercrimes specialist Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) as she attempts to track down a serial killer who brazenly displays... Directed by Gregory Hoblit (FRACTURE, PRIMAL FEAR), UNTRACEABLE follows F.B.I. cybercrimes specialist Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) as she attempts to track down a serial killer who brazenly displays his murderous deeds on the Internet. Aided by fellow agent Griffin Dowd (Colin Hanks) and local detective Eric Box (Billy Burke), Marsh tenaciously hunts for the elusive criminal in rainy Pacific Northwest settings, but as she closes in on her target, he deviously finds ways to get closer to her, all the while killing his victims in increasingly faster fashion. Clearly referencing a number of renowned thrillers--most notably the SAW films, SEVEN, and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS--UNTRACEABLE is far from an original cinematic exercise. However, Lane's steely, smart, and beautiful heroine ably anchors the film, which also benefits from its appropriately gloomy Portland, Oregon, backdrop. As with any effective suspense movie, the thrill is in the chase, with the cold-blooded killer proving to be quite adept at disguising his real location, even as his disturbingly popular site remains prominently on the web (hence the picture's title). Though not up to par with classics such as SEVEN and SILENCE, UNTRACEABLE is a well-crafted genre film that easily eclipses other like-minded fare, particularly FEARDOTCOM and the SAW sequels. [More]
Starring: Diane Lane, Billy Burke, Colin Hanks, Joseph Cross
Starring: Diane Lane, Billy Burke, Colin Hanks, Joseph Cross, Mary Beth Hurt
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Screenwriter: Robert Fyvolent, Mark R. Brinker
Story: Robert Fyvolent, Mark R. Brinker, Allison Burnett
Producer: Steven Pearl, Andy Cohen, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Hawk Koch
Composer: Christopher Young
Studio: Screen Gems
Reviews for Untraceable
Lane is an imaginative actress, every bit as good as Jodie Foster, and the film is clothed in a dark and chilly atmosphere that Hoblit constructs with some skill.
Some viewers might find the Hostel-style splatter hard to stomach while, for a smart cop, Lane sure does some dumb things.
The problem with Hollywood films condemning the public appetite for torture is that they frequently pander to it, and this is a very lurid and unsavoury example.
Very unpleasant, though skilfully put together by director Gregory Hoblit and acted with beyond-the-call empathy by Ms Lane.
This new variation on the theme isn't bad, in a gruesome and horrible way, and features a strong performance from Diane Lane as an FBI agent.
On the surface the film is a solid thriller, but there's more thought here than in the average serial killer flick.
Very enjoyable as a 'race against time' thriller and Lane is great as the weary but determined lead. It's just a shame that Untraceable's message is delivered in such a ham-fisted, hypocritical way.
In keeping with the title, this Silence Of The Lambs wannabe contains not a trace of originality, but should appeal to those who like their thrillers with a side order of gore.
Feels as if it's been patched together using 'auto-fill' screenwriting software.
“It’s a jungle in there!” sighs Hanks as he counts the millions visiting the movie’s kill-view website. But for all its scaremongering, Untraceable is best viewed as an above-average thriller with a tech-savvy hook.
Pokes fun of a particularly dark hue at those emotionally stunted netheads who are enjoying a Second Life when they haven't even had a first one.
You know something ain’t kosher when a movie purporting to offer a critique of sadistic voyeurism opens with a hand-rubbing scene of kitten abuse.
A competent suspenser, helped by the always-dependable Diane Lane, but it suffers by following the modern thriller playbook to the letter.
Enjoyable thriller, enlivened by a decent script, impressive direction and strong performances from Diane Lane and Colin Hanks.
Even though this film strains to be another Silence of the Lambs (tormented heroine chases nasty killer), it's still oddly involving.
Untraceable is prototype Internet conspiracy drivel, with a hackneyed plot years too late and a simple premise of good cops and innocents against sickos.
Latest News for Untraceable
May 12, 2008:
RT on DVD: Indiana Jones Box Set, Narnia in Blu-ray, and a Porn Virus Epidemic?
Spaced, the UK cult hit series, is finally headed to the States this summer - but guess what's here now? A 3-disc Indiana Jones DVD collection and Narnia in Blu-ray! (Plus, we... More...
March 05, 2008:
UK Box Office Breakdown: Slow Week Sees Bank Job Claim No.1
A slow week at the box office allowed Jason Statham's The Bank Job to sneak into first place in the UK charts. Meanwhile Rambo, Cloverfield and Alvin and the Chipmunks all... More...
January 31, 2008:
Box Office Guru Preview: Montana Hopes to Win Super Bowl Trophy
While Brady and Manning duke it out in Phoenix, the $15 movie ticket aims to conquer the multiplexes over Super Bowl weekend. That's the admission price that theaters are... More...
January 27, 2008:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Spartans March Past Rambo to #1
Moviegoers chose an army of spoof comedians over an aging one-man killing machine as Meet the Spartans outgunned Sylvester Stallone's Rambo to claim the number one spot in a... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Untraceable at Rotten Tomatoes
- Untraceable at IGN
- Untraceable at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

