'Untraceable' is a traditional thriller with a modern twist

In this age of cutting-edge technology, how safe are the vast majority of us who don’t understand the unparalleled access available through computers and the Internet? “Untraceable” is presented like a traditional thriller but with a modern twist – people are kidnapped and then murdered on-line at the killer’s website. The FBI cyber crime unit is responsible for tracking him down, led by one of their brightest agents. Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) is an unlikely choice for the heroine of the story, but her down-to-earth quality makes her character feel real and easy to relate to. She’s not all-knowing or all-powerful, but an intelligent agent who does what she has to do to get the job done. She has a home life that she tries to keep separate from her work, which becomes difficult as the story unfolds.

This new killer is anything but a normal criminal, but he‘s not a freak in a mask either. The killer’s face isn’t hidden for long in the film; instead, it’s the motive for his twisted actions that remains the biggest secret. He is rather bland – which may have been the point of the film – and he can and does blend into a crowd. His abilities with technology surpass those of the FBI agents tracking him, eventually putting them at a greater risk. Once the story gets personal, it really kicks into high gear, as Agent Marsh (Lane) must protect herself, her daughter and her mother from a threat that appears to be all around them.

The director, Gregory Hoblit (“Fracture“), was a solid choice to make the film, having a filmography of thrillers that are a cut above the genre average. Her two male partners, Agent Dowd (Colin Hanks, “King Kong”) and Detective Box (Billy Burke, “Fracture”) are appropriate male bookends to her character, one awkward and intellectual, the other action-oriented and charismatic. However, it’s obvious that she is the real talent and if this monster is going to be caught, it will be up to her. The killer’s traps are well thought out and “Saw”-esque except that it’s the people who are actually visiting the site that lead to the victim’s demise instead of the victim having control.

“Untraceable” has a strong story, with interesting characters, legitimate thrills and a new nagging concern that you‘ll take with you once the film is over.

Rated R for grisly violence and torture, and some language.