Alex (William H. Macy) is having a midlife crisis; not only is he unhappy with his marriage, but he wants to get out of the family business, which happens to be killing people for hire. Seeking help, Alex turns to Dr. Josh Parks (John Ritter) for therapy. While in the psychologist's waiting room, he meets Sarah (Neve Campbell), a manic but beautiful young woman. Set reeling by his attraction to Sarah, Alex has to contend not only with his new feelings but also with his concerned wife (Tracey Ullman), his intuitive six-year-old son (David Dorfman), and his controlling father (Donald Sutherland). When Alex's tyrannical dad catches wind of his son's therapy and growing hesitation about their two-man operation, he gives Alex a new assignment--one that leads to a startling resolution.

A consistently remarkable actor, Macy delivers an outstanding performance, carrying director Henry Bromell's debut with a somber world-weariness. The film admirably manages to avoid certain tired scenarios, presenting an intriguing and unusual relationship between Campbell's impulsive Sarah and Macy's sullen Alex while portraying him as neither pathetic nor heroic. Well-written and expertly photographed, PANIC is an effective and engaging drama about one man's struggle to escape the numbness of his life.

Theatrical release: January 19, 2001.

PANIC is the first feature film written and directed by Henry Bromell, a veteran of televison dramas such as HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and CHICAGO HOPE.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2000, was first aired on cable in August 2000, and was given a theatrical release by Roxie Releasing in January 2001.

Excerpt: "What are you feeling right now?"--Dr. Josh Parks (John Ritter) to Alex (William H. Macy) as he leaves the office
"Poorer."--Alex

"He has beautiful, sad eyes."--Sarah (Neve Campbell) talking to a friend about Alex

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case - Sensormatic
Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Dolby Digital Stereo - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Cast & Crew Information
Audio Commentary: Henry Bromell - Director
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access

William H. Macy: Stage/Film Actor, STATE AND MAIN (2000)
Neve Campbell: Actress, PARTY OF FIVE, SCREAM
Donald Sutherland: Canadian Actor
Tracey Ullman: British Actress/Singer/Comic
John Ritter: American Film and Television Actor, THREE'S COMPANY
Barbara Bain: m. Martin Landau; Cinnamon Carter of TV's Mission Impossible

Henry Bromell: director

Andrew Lazar: Producer
Lori Miller: 
Matt Cooper: 

Jody Hedien: coproducer

Henry Bromell: director

Lynzee Klingman: Editor, THE LAKE HOUSE (2006)
Cindy Mollo: Editor, THE SENTINEL (2006)

"...PANIC seeps with melancholy, old wounds, repressed anger, lust. That it is also caustically funny and heartwarming is miraculous..."
"...A black-comedy gem..."
"...Worth a look. Donald Sutherland and William H. Macy as father and son is an inspired idea..."
"...A sneaky and smart film noir....Mr. Macy's rock-solid concentration holds PANIC together..."
"...Pivoted on the richly talented Macy, PANIC benefits from complex performances by the entire cast....Darkly funny..."