Synopsis: After a young couple witnesses a gruesome highway accident, they soon realize they did not leave the crash scene alone, as a demonic presence called the Passenger that won’t stop until it claims them both turns their van life adventure into a nightmare.
Director: André Øvredal
Stars: Lou Llobell, Jacob Scipio, Melissa Leo
Once upon a time, when looking for inspiration for horror movies, directors may have looked to Alfred Hitchcock, Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick. I’m confident that André Øvredal took inspiration from Mike Flanagan as he took the director’s chair for Passenger. After all, Flanagan holds the Guinness World Record for the most scripted jump scares in a single television episode. Passenger may not set any world records, but the jump scares are phenomenally delivered throughout the film.
The trailer features one, which appears in the film’s opening scene. Two friends are on a road trip when they have to make a pit stop…some people just have smaller bladders. They are under attack by an unknown entity… a man at the side of the road… You know… a passenger.
We meet a couple, Maddie and Tyler, played by Lou Llobell and Jacob Scipio. They have decided to live a minimalist life and are living out of their van. Tyler seems to be more excited about it than Maddie. Tyler has his Saint Christopher pendant—a symbol for safe travel and guidance—hanging from the rearview mirror, while Maddie contributed a Bob Ross bobblehead. (Yes, that’s a thing.)
While driving at night, the couple comes across an accident and decides to stop and check it out, just like anyone might. The only issue is now they have, unbeknownst to them, attracted some unwanted company.
What Øvredal accomplishes very well in this film is developing tension without rushing the story. Many horror films seem to follow a certain pattern or recipe, and while this one doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it fully understands the assignment. Maddie and Tyler are put in increasingly more danger as the film progresses. There is some folklore sprinkled as we learn about the forces tormenting them. There’s a character who offers warnings and survival tips, brought to life by Academy Award winner Melissa Leo.
Then there are the jump scares. As someone who consumes a lot of film, this movie got me.
The passenger is played by Joseph Lopez. Throughout the film, he reminded me of Victor, the character played by Scott McCord on the TV show From. I had to see the credits to realize it wasn’t the same person.
Following an established horror playbook isn’t without its issues: some moments are somewhat predictable, but overall, this may be the jump-scare movie of the year.
Grade: B
Watch the movie trailer:
