Entertainment

Liam Neeson's 'Non-Stop' Has a 9/11 Plot Twist but Audiences Probably Won't Mind

Liam Neeson's latest broken-tough-guy-saves-the-day film Non-Stop comes out Friday and for all of its similarities to his previous thrillers, it contains one unique element—the whole film takes place on an airplane. And while that characteristic may differentiate Non-Stop from other action films, it places it into a different, more controversial category: films related to 9/11.

Since 2001, many films have either directly addressed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center or featured themes and events that relate to the events in some way or another. In Non-Stop the attacks are first thought to be a hijacking, but later in the film there is a much clearer connection to 9/11.

And 12 years since the attack that took the lives of thousands of people, the question still remains: will it ever be okay for movies to deal with 9/11? We'll have to wait and see what audiences think of Non-Stop and its handling of post-9/11 themes, but for now we can look back at films that have already dealt with it and attempt to understand how audiences and critics feel about its portrayal in films.

Image: Universal Pictures

'United 93'

One of the first films to explicitly portray the events of 9/11, United 93 was released in April 2006 and chronicled the titular United Airlines flight that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after its passengers regained control of the plane from terrorist hijackers. Though many questioned whether Paul Greengrass’s film was made too soon, it was ultimately well-received, grossing over $32 million domestically, and currently has a 91 percent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 percent audience rating.

Upon its release, Roger Ebert started his review of United 93 by saying, “It is not too soon for “United 93,” because it is not a film that knows any time has passed since 9/11. The entire story, every detail, is told in the present tense.” He later says, “To watch “United 93” is to be confronted with the grim chaotic reality of that September day in 2001.”

Image: Universal Pictures

'World Trade Center'

Just a few months later in August 2006, only a month shy of the fifth anniversary of 9/11, Oliver Stone’s film was released. World Trade Center tells the true story of two police officers (played by Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena) who were rescued from the Towers’ rubble after attempting to evacuate the building. Though it was more financially successful than United 93, earning $72 million, it was not as well favored, with a 68 percent critic rating and 60 percent from audiences.

While the film was praised for its visuals, acting (yes, even Cage) and tact, it was criticized for being too small in scope, overly sentimental, and lacking depth. Image: Paramount Pictures

'Reign Over Me'

Rather than depicting 9/11 itself, Reign Over Me centers on Adam Sandler’s Charlie as he tries to cope with the loss of his wife and daughters years after they were killed in the attacks. It was released in March 2007 and though not very financially successful with a domestic gross of just under $20 million, was enjoyed by audiences with an 82 percent score, and had mixed reviews from critics with 64 percent positive reviews.

Sandler’s serious, emotional performance surprised many critics by actually being good, but the movie was seen as lackluster—though not for any of its 9/11-related elements. Chicago Tribune critic Michael Wilmington essentially summed up many others’ thoughts when he said, “It’s better than you’d expect but not as good as you’d like it to be.”

Image: Columbia Pictures

'Knowing'

This is the kind of film you’d expect of Nicolas Cage, a strange, supernatural-infused thriller that’s too ambitious for its own good. Released in March 2009, Knowing references and evokes themes of 9/11 as Cage’s Professor Koestler tries to decipher a numerical code that has predicted every disaster of the past 50 years, including 9/11, before its final disaster occurs.

It gets much stranger and though surprisingly pulled in almost $80 million, was not enjoyed by most of the people who paid to see it. 42 percent of viewers and only 33 percent of critics gave it a positive review, and words like “inept,” “shameless,” “silly” and “laughably bad” were used to describe it.

Image: Summit Entertainment

'Remember Me'

Released at the height of Twilight-fever in March 2010, Remember Me is a romantic drama that stars Robert Pattinson and the only other thing you really need to know is that it basically uses 9/11 as a plot twist. Pattinson’s character falls in love with a girl, works on his relationship with his father and copes with his brother’s death, and just as everything seems to be resolved, dies in the World Trade Center. Despite this seemingly callous approach and small, $19 million domestic gross, the movie is viewed quite differently by audiences and critics.

The shocking 69 percent viewer approval rating is much higher than critics’ 27 percent, though some of that can be attributed to Twilight die-hards, especially since many of its audience reviews specifically mention Pattinson and express discontent at the ending. Critics didn’t hold back, with Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers saying, ”It’s all weepy drool until the twist ending, which turns it shockingly offensive.”

Image: Summit Entertainment

'Four Lions'

Based on its description, you would assume that Four Lions was crass and offensive, but the 2010 film was actually well-received. The British dark comedy is about five young Muslim men who decide to become suicide bombers, and yes, I did say comedy. The very idea of terrorism and suicide bombing immediately links to 9/11 for many people, and part of the film’s ending gives in an even stronger connection to the events.

With its off-putting premise, the satirical Four Lions only grossed $4 million worldwide, but has an 82 percent approval rating among critics, and 80 percent from audiences. Slate ’s Dana Stevens said, “The very existence of Four Lions is an act of audacity; the fact that it’s also smart, humane, and frequently hilarious is nothing short of a miracle.”

Image: Drafthouse Films

'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close'

Similar to Reign Over Me, the Oscar-nominated film deals with the aftermath of 9/11 rather than the actual events. Based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, the 2012 film opens with Oskar’s father dying in the World Trade Center after leaving him phone messages and the rest of it follows Oskar as he tries to solve the puzzle he believes his father left for him.

It’s surpassing that film earned a Best Picture nomination, since it only has a 47 percent critical approval rating, and 62 percent from audiences. Many critics disliked the film for being too cute and twee, while trying to hard to gets its message across. Of its 9/11 depiction, Roger Ebert said, “No movie has ever been able to provide a catharsis for the Holocaust, and I suspect none will ever be able to provide one for 9/11.”

Image: Warner Brothers

'Non-Stop'

And here we are. Based on this selection of films that can be connected to 9/11, it seems that audiences and critics are both willing to confront the event, but only if it is handled correctly. A 9/11 connection alone won’t draw or dissuade viewers, but if not given the levity and respect such a tragedy deserves, they are quick to criticize any fumbling, heavy-handed portrayals.

The overall movie quality is also a hugely important factor, as it cannot be elevated or lowered by a 9/11 connection. The more subtle connection of Non-Stop’s plot to the World Trade Center may in fact help it, as audiences won’t dwell on that and instead judge the movie as they would any other thriller. Hopefully the more direct link revealed at its end will be treated in a way closer to Reign Over Me than Remember Me.

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