Tom Cruise’s movie Knight and Day, which once failed to spark interest among critics and audiences alike, has recently gained a new audience on streaming platforms. Originally released as a romantic action comedy, this film from 2010 now offers viewers insight into a pivotal phase in Cruise’s career, highlighting his journey amid a fluctuating reputation and his return to blockbuster success.
The Career Decline Surrounding Knight and Day
Before Tom Cruise secured his status as a leading blockbuster star with Top Gun: Maverick and the Mission: Impossible saga’s final installment, his career faced significant challenges. This period was marked by public controversy, largely stemming from his open dedication to Scientology and a widely discussed appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2005. These events contributed to a downturn in his popularity, with Knight and Day embodying an attempt to recapture former action star glory that fell short of expectations.
During this low point, Cruise’s role in Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder stood out. Rather than featuring his typical suave persona, he took on a heavily disguised character, signaling a willingness to poke fun at his own public image following his highly publicized incidents. Knight and Day, however, reverted to a more familiar formula—leveraging both his and Cameron Diaz’s star power to present Cruise as the charismatic action lead once more.
What Led to Knight and Day’s Reception and Its Place in Cruise’s Filmography
Directed by James Mangold, known for the Logan film, Knight and Day blended Mission: Impossible-style action with romantic comedy. Despite making over $260 million globally, the movie failed to leave a lasting impression on critics or audiences and did little to rehabilitate Cruise’s image after the mid-2000s controversies. Its middling reception ultimately underscored one clear message: fans preferred Cruise in traditional action roles.
The film’s story revolves around Diaz’s character, a woman who meets Cruise’s Matthew Knight at an airport, only to become entangled with the CIA and mistaken identities when assassination attempts arise. Their ensuing adventure spans multiple locations worldwide, featuring stunts, chase sequences, and numerous plot twists. Alongside the leads, notable actors such as Peter Sarsgaard, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and Gal Gadot contribute to the cast.
Why Knight and Day Matters in Tom Cruise’s Career Evolution
Although not regarded as a successful or critically valued entry, Knight and Day represents the turning point before Tom Cruise refocused on the Mission: Impossible franchise, which revitalized his standing as a movie star. This film acts as a snapshot documenting the transitional phase when Cruise was redefining his public and cinematic identity after a period of decline.
Now accessible on Prime Video, Knight and Day invites modern viewers and scholars to engage with this chapter of Cruise’s filmography and better understand the ups and downs of his career, from being widely admired, to dismissed, and then embraced once again. There’s also speculation about a potential sequel, particularly since Cameron Diaz has recently returned to acting after a hiatus.
