(2002) – Katie Holmes Steps into the Shadows in Stephen Gaghan’s Stylish Thriller
Tags Abandon review, Katie Holmes movies, Stephen Gaghan, Benjamin Bratt, college thrillers, psychological mystery, Charlie Hunnam, Zooey Deschanel, 2000s suspense films, Dawson’s Creek stars
Overview
Abandon is a 2002 psychological thriller written and directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter Stephen Gaghan (*Traffic*). Featuring Katie Holmes in a leading role, the film centers on a high-achieving college senior haunted by the sudden disappearance—and possible return—of her ex-boyfriend. Gaghan delivers a sleek, De Palma-inspired mystery that uses Holmes’ TV persona to surprising effect.
Plot SummaryKatie Holmes plays Catherine “Caty” Burke, a top student at an elite university with a promising job in the financial world waiting for her post-graduation. However, Caty is still emotionally haunted by the vanishing of her ex-boyfriend Embry (Charlie Hunnam), a wealthy and enigmatic art student who disappeared two years earlier. When a dogged, recently sober detective named Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt) reopens the case—under pressure from Embry’s trustees to declare him legally dead—Caty is forced to relive their toxic relationship and confront growing paranoia. Is Embry really gone, or has he returned to torment her?
What Works- Katie Holmes: Holmes gives one of her most compelling performances here, navigating Caty’s breakdown with nuance—even if audiences struggle to separate her from her Dawson’s Creek alter ego.
- Charlie Hunnam: As Embry, Hunnam oozes manipulative charm, perfectly capturing the allure of the toxic college artist archetype.
- Direction: Gaghan, in his directorial debut, creates a suspenseful atmosphere reminiscent of Brian De Palma’s thrillers—full of twists, voyeuristic tension, and stylistic flourishes.
- Gender Flip: Refreshingly, Benjamin Bratt’s detective plays the role typically assigned to female characters—serving more as a narrative function than a fully fleshed-out lead.
- The film leans a bit too heavily on flashbacks, which occasionally slow the pacing and dilute the mystery’s forward momentum.
- Holmes and Bratt lack romantic chemistry, which makes some scenes between them feel forced.
- Some viewers may find the final twist predictable or underwhelming compared to the film’s stronger first half.
Abandon is an underrated, stylish college thriller with a strong central performance by Katie Holmes and an atmospheric touch by Stephen Gaghan. While it doesn’t reach the heights of its influences like *Body Heat* or *Dressed to Kill*, it’s a solid entry into early 2000s psychological suspense and a promising directorial debut. If you can separate Holmes from her TV past, you’ll find this to be a fun, twisty ride.
Rating⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Call to ActionWas Katie Holmes convincing in a darker, post-Dawson’s Creek role? Share your take in the comments.
Explore more reviews of psychological thrillers from the early 2000s on our blog.
