How did Brittany Murphy perform in 'Don't Say a Word'?

Brittany Murphy delivered a compelling and standout performance as Elisabeth Burrows, the troubled teen patient at the center of the film's plot. Her portrayal kept audiences questioning the extent of her mental illness.

Who are the badass female characters in 'Don't Say a Word'?

Famke Janssen and Jennifer Esposito play the roles of Aggie Conrad and Sandra Cassidy, respectively - two strong female characters who play crucial parts in the film's thrilling events.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Michael Douglas Shines in Underrated 2001 Kidnapping Thriller 'Don't Say a Word'

Michael Douglas Shines in Underrated 2001 Kidnapping Thriller 'Don't Say a Word'

Q: What is the 2001 thriller 'Don't Say a Word' about?

The 2001 thriller 'Don't Say a Word' stars Michael Douglas as a child psychiatrist who is blackmailed by thieves to retrieve valuable information from one of his patients, a troubled teen played by the late Brittany Murphy.

19 Oct

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Summary

Michael Douglas stars as a child psychiatrist blackmailed to retrieve intel
Brittany Murphy delivers a compelling performance as a troubled teen patient
Famke Janssen and Jennifer Esposito play key supporting roles as badass women

Michael Douglas Shines in Underrated 2001 Kidnapping Thriller 'Don't Say a Word'

On 2025-10-19T12:15:56+00:00, Netflix added the 2001 thriller 'Don't Say a Word' to its streaming library. The film, directed by Gary Fleder, was initially met with mixed reviews but has since gained a cult following as an underrated gem.

Michael Douglas stars as Nathan Conrad, a child psychiatrist who is blackmailed by thieves to retrieve valuable intel from one of his latest patients. Despite criticism of the film's by-the-numbers plot, Douglas' performance as an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances elevates the material. His transition from worried parent to unlikely hero is a natural progression as he fights to protect his kidnapped daughter.

The late Brittany Murphy delivers a standout performance as Elisabeth Burrows, the troubled teen under Nathan's care. The kidnappers believe she is faking her mental illness to hide the location of a valuable gem, leading to a compelling cat-and-mouse game. Famke Janssen and Jennifer Esposito also shine in key supporting roles as Aggie Conrad and Sandra Cassidy, respectively - two badass women who play crucial parts in the story.

Veteran actor Sean Bean portrays the villainous Patrick Koster, a vengeful jewel thief willing to go to extreme lengths to get what he wants. His intense and menacing performance makes him a formidable antagonist.

Overall, 'Don't Say a Word' may not have received the acclaim it deserved upon its initial release, but it remains a well-crafted and thrilling addition to Netflix's library.

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