Jaume Collet-Serra: A Thriller Maestro’s Filmography
Jaume Collet-Serra has established himself as a talented director in Hollywood, specializing in thrillers and action movies. Over the past decade and a half, he has carved out a name for himself, working with big-name stars like Dwayne Johnson and Liam Neeson. With a filmography that spans multiple genres, Collet-Serra has consistently delivered engaging and entertaining movies. Here’s a look at his top 11 films, from his early days in horror to his latest efforts in the thriller genre.
11. Goal II: Living the Dream (2007) – A Standard Sports Drama
Collet-Serra’s sophomore effort deviates from his typical thriller fare, instead delivering a compelling sports drama. Goal II: Living the Dream follows the story of Santiago Munez, a soccer star struggling to adapt to his new team. The film received decent reviews but was criticized for focusing too much on Munez’s personal life and not enough on the action-packed soccer.
10. The Commuter (2018) – Liam Neeson Elevates the Flawed Thriller
In The Commuter, Liam Neeson stars as Michael MacCauley, a former cop tasked with identifying a passenger on a commuter train. Neeson’s committed performance helps keep the audience engaged, but the script lets him down. The movie’s convoluted plot and lack of suspense make it one of Collet-Serra’s lesser efforts.
9. House of Wax (2005) – Collet-Serra’s Messy Yet Fun Horror Debut
Collet-Serra’s directorial debut, House of Wax, is a horror film that showcases his ability to deliver scares and memorable stars. The movie follows a pair of teens who find themselves trapped in a small town with a sinister wax museum. While it falls into genre traps, House of Wax has its gruesome moments and memorable set pieces.
8. The Shallows (2016) – Blake Lively Carries a Mixed Shark Movie
The Shallows sees Collet-Serra taking on the shark movie subgenre, with Blake Lively starring as Nancy, a surfer fighting for survival against a great white shark. The film has some great shark attack moments and Lively delivers a gripping central performance. However, the movie struggles to maintain suspense throughout its runtime.
7. Run All Night (2015) – An Underrated Gritty Crime Story
Run All Night is a gritty crime thriller that marks one of the most underrated collaborations between Collet-Serra and Liam Neeson. The film follows a hitman, Jimmy Conlon, and his estranged son as they go on the run from the mob. Neeson shines as the conflicted hero, and Collet-Serra handles the movie with a grounded, hard-boiled approach.
6. Unknown (2011) – A Convoluted Thriller with a Solid Mystery
Collet-Serra’s first collaboration with Liam Neeson, Unknown, is a thriller that sees Neeson playing a biochemist searching for answers after a car accident leaves him with amnesia. The movie has expertly ratcheted tension and suspense, with Neeson keeping things grounded and Collet-Serra maintaining a thrilling pace.
5. Black Adam (2022) – An Entertaining Yet Empty Superhero Movie
Collet-Serra’s foray into the world of superhero movies, Black Adam, follows the titular character, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, as he emerges in the modern world to deliver his own brand of justice. While the movie has some fun sequences, Johnson’s commitment to the character is lacking, and the film ultimately feels like a standard superhero movie.
4. Non-Stop (2014) – Collet-Serra’s Best Thriller with Liam Neeson
Non-Stop is the best of the four movies Collet-Serra and Liam Neeson made together, a gripping thriller that sees Neeson playing air marshal Bill Marks. The movie’s pulpy premise and isolated setting make for the ideal setup, with Collet-Serra keeping things exciting and Neeson playing the grizzled hero to perfection.
3. Orphan (2009) – A Twisted Horror Movie That Goes Over the Top
Returning to his horror roots, Collet-Serra delivered an outrageous and unpredictable movie with Orphan. The film follows the story of a loving family who adopts a precocious nine-year-old, Esther, only to discover her sinister behavior. The movie’s twist ending will likely divide audiences, but Fuhrman’s performance makes Esther a modern horror icon.
2. Jungle Cruise (2021) – A Fun Disney Popcorn Adventure
Collet-Serra’s collaboration with Disney, Jungle Cruise, follows Captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and British siblings Lily and McGregor Houghton (Emily Blunt and Jack Whitehall) as they navigate the Amazon jungle to find the sacred Tree of Life. The movie is a fun and lighthearted popcorn adventure, with Johnson and Blunt’s chemistry helping to elevate the film.
1. Carry-On (2024) – A Gripping Christmas-Set Thriller
Collet-Serra’s most recent movie, Carry-On, is his best effort to date. The thriller follows a young TSA agent, Ethan (Taron Egerton), who is coerced by a mysterious traveler into allowing a dangerous package onto a Christmas Eve flight. Egerton makes for a terrific grounded hero, while Jason Bateman steals the show in a villainous role.
