Actor Benjamin McKenzie, best known as Ryan on Fox TV's "The O.C.," is starring in the thriller "88 Minutes" with Hollywood veteran Al Pacino.

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McKenzie plays a grad student who is one of many suspects in a plot to kill Pacino's character, a college professor who is also an FBI forensic psychiatrist.

McKenizie won critical acclaim this past summer for his role in the indie film, "Junebug," People magazine reported.

At the time, he told the celebrity magazine he was anxious to tackle roles outside of the teenage heartthrob realm.

"When this script came along, I fell in love with it," he said. "A side benefit was that it wouldn't be the same thing I do most of the year. It was very sexy to be able to try something else and see if I can do (it). And if not, I could fall on my ass, but in a small way."

He said the experience went on to exceed his "wildest expectations."