🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Gregory Hoblit
- Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 41min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (108k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 16%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A serial killer makes murder a spectator sport by live streaming torture online, proving once and for all that the internet is bad, m’kay?
🍿 Untraceable: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to KillWithMe.com
FBI agent Jennifer Marsh works in cybercrimes, tracking down online fraud. Her routine takes a dark turn when an anonymous tip leads her and her team to a website called KillWithMe.com. Initially, the site features the live-streamed torture and killing of a kitten, signaling a disturbing escalation in online criminal activity. The site proves difficult to trace or shut down, suggesting a sophisticated operator behind it.

Escalation of Violence
The website transitions to human victims, with the gruesome twist that the speed of their deaths directly correlates to the number of viewers logging onto the site. This creates a macabre incentive for people to visit KillWithMe.com, turning them into unwitting accomplices. The FBI struggles to contain the situation as the public’s morbid curiosity drives the site’s popularity and the victims’ suffering.

Identifying the Victims
The victims initially appear random, but Jennifer soon discovers a connection. They were all involved in some way with the suicide of a college teacher. The killer is revealed to be Owen Reilly, the teacher’s son, who seeks to expose the public’s thirst for violence and avenge his father’s death. He carefully targets individuals who profited from his father’s tragedy.

Becoming Personal
As the investigation intensifies, Owen targets those closest to Jennifer, including her partner Griffin Dowd, escalating the personal stakes. Jennifer is in a race against time to stop Owen and shut down the website before more lives are lost. The cat-and-mouse game between Jennifer and Owen becomes increasingly dangerous and complex.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane): A widowed FBI cybercrime agent and single mother who races against time to stop a serial killer broadcasting live murders online.
- Owen Reilly (Joseph Cross): A disturbed and tech-savvy serial killer who uses an untraceable website to broadcast live torture and murder, driven by a desire for revenge and to expose society’s morbid curiosity.
- Griffin Dowd (Colin Hanks): Jennifer’s FBI colleague and friend who assists her in tracking down the killer, ultimately becoming one of his victims.
- Detective Eric Box (Billy Burke): A Portland PD detective who works alongside Jennifer, providing crucial support in the investigation of the KillWithMe website.
- Annie Haskins (Perla Haney-Jardine): Jennifer’s young daughter, whose safety is threatened as the case becomes increasingly personal and dangerous.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Owen Reilly: “They want to watch, I give them what they want.” – Reilly explains his motivation for the KillWithMe website, highlighting the public’s morbid curiosity.
- Jennifer Marsh: “We’re supposed to protect people, not exploit them.” – Marsh expresses her disgust at the public’s fascination with the website and the killer’s actions.
- Owen Reilly: “You’re next, Jennifer.” – Reilly taunts Jennifer, signaling his escalating obsession and intent to make her a victim.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $28,687,835
- Worldwide Gross: $52,933,513
💥 Untraceable Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I saw ‘Untraceable’ back in the day, and it definitely messed with my head. The whole idea of people tuning in to watch someone die online was super disturbing. The suspense was real and Diane Lane was awesome as the FBI agent trying to stop it. I remember the scene where the killer hacks into her car being seriously intense – I was literally gripping my seat! It definitely made me think twice about the internet.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in stories about cybercrime”
- “Those who appreciate suspenseful cat-and-mouse narratives”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and torture”
- “Disturbing themes and imagery”
- “Some strong language”
- “Animal cruelty (briefly shown)”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While ‘Untraceable’ boasts a timely premise about the dark side of internet voyeurism, it gets bogged down in predictable thriller tropes and an over-reliance on gore. Diane Lane delivers a solid performance, but even she can’t elevate the film above its B-movie trappings.
- bloody-disgusting.com: “Untraceable mixes technology and terror by having our protagonist hunt down the perpetrator of live streaming torture. Though the plot is outlandish, it does a fairly good job of building the suspense. If you’re able to look past any plot holes, you may enjoy the film.
Audience Reactions
Diane Lane’s performance was a standout, bringing depth and believability to her role as the determined FBI agent.: Most agreed that the film’s exploration of internet voyeurism was disturbing and thought-provoking, sparking conversations about online ethics and responsibility.
Overall Consensus: A thriller with a disturbing premise about internet voyeurism, elevated by Diane Lane’s performance but ultimately hindered by predictable plot elements and excessive gore.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The website used by the killer (www.killwithme.com) actually existed. It was owned by the movie studio and it was used to promote the film. In it, users were taken to a replica of the FBI computer used by the character Jennifer Marsh.”
- “The original script had a much darker and more ambiguous ending, leaving the audience to question the true nature of online voyeurism. Studio executives opted for a more conclusive and heroic finale.”
🖥️ How to Watch Untraceable?
Untraceable is available for purchase or rent on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for television availability. The film is also often available through DVD and Blu-ray retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Untraceable, you might like these similar films:
- Fear Dot Com (2002): Deals with a website that causes death, exploring the dark side of the internet. Shares the similar theme of online horror
- 8MM (1999): Explores the disturbing world of snuff films and the dark underbelly of society, providing a similar sense of unease.
- The Net (1995): Features a woman whose identity is erased and must fight to clear her name from afar, highlighting the dangers of technology and online anonymity.
- Searching (2018): Utilizes modern technology (internet, social media) as the primary vehicle for storytelling, in the search for a missing person.
🛒 Untraceable Related Products
- Hacking for Dummies: This Book is Your Personal Guide to the Ever-Changing Hacking Landscape. This book helps you to recognize the vulnerabilities of your networks, operating systems, and applications and provides clear, concise guidance for understanding and addressing the various types of hacking attacks and tools used to exploit security weaknesses.
- SAW X: Between the events of ‘Saw I and II’, a sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, John returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through ingenious and terrifying traps.
- Cyberpunk 2077: An open-world, action-adventure RPG set in the dark future of Night City — a dangerous megapolis obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification. Become V, a cyberpunk for hire, and experience a vast array of customizable skills, gameplay styles, and cyberware as you explore a city of conspiracy, crime, and corruption.
- Internet Privacy for Dummies: Internet Privacy For Dummies is a straightforward, non-techie resource on a subject that has become an international concern. This book offers tips and information on staying private while using the Internet. Whether you want to use search engines anonymously, safeguard your children’s privacy online, or keep your personal files out of prying eyes, this book arms you with the tools you need to protect your data.
🎧 Soundtrack
Untraceable features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Untraceable explores the themes of internet voyeurism, the public’s fascination with violence, and the ethical implications of online anonymity. It questions the responsibility of viewers who become complicit in crimes through their morbid curiosity.
Untraceable is best described as a crime thriller with elements of horror. It contains violent and disturbing scenes, but its focus is more on the investigation and the psychological aspects of the killer and the audience.
The killer is Owen Reilly, the son of a college teacher who committed suicide. His motive is to expose the public’s insatiable appetite for violence and to avenge those he believes exploited his father’s death.
🔥 Bonus Content
#1 Ethical Hacker in The World Explains The Dark Web
Ever wonder what the dark web *really* is? This ethical hacker breaks it down in a way that’s super easy to understand. Honestly, it’s a bit scary how accessible it is!
KK Ep 78 – Diane Lane Kidnapped and Strung Upside Down!
Want to really dive into that intense scene where Diane Lane is kidnapped? This video breaks down all the suspenseful details, and it’s kinda wild how much went into it!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.





