The Bourne Identity (2002)

Matt Damon is a spy with amnesia and some very powerful people want him dead in 2002’s The Bourne Identity, now on Showmax, along with every other Bourne movie ever made.

It’s the first movie in the five-film franchise and sets the scene. Jason Bourne (Matt) is rescued in the Mediterranean Sea with two bullet wounds. He doesn’t remember his name, where he’s from – anything. What he does know is that he’s a skilled soldier who speaks multiple languages… and he’s on the run from some very bad organisations who’re paying big money for his head on a platter.

It’s like James Bond, but not. There’s action, there’s thrilling car chases, there’s screaming and shouting and danger waiting around every corner. Matt has Clive Owen, Julia Styles and Brian Cox along for the ride, albeit an odd one for an action film, writes Sierra Filucci at commonsensemedia.com: “What makes this thriller so good is Damon’s ability to merge the physical with the emotional; he’s strong, skilled, and smart, but he’s also generous, honest, and tender. For an action movie, it’s remarkably quiet. Neither lead character talks much, but both command the screen nonetheless.”