André Øvredal’s Brutal Thrill Ride Mostly Nails It
IndieWire • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "Passenger," directed by André Øvredal, is a supernatural thriller that blends creature feature elements with a stalker nightmare and relationship drama, focusing on two nomadic lovers facing a terrifying road ordeal.
- The film excels in building tension through exceptional jump scares, clever use of shadows, and innovative incorporation of contemporary driving technology like van exterior cameras to enhance the horror experience.
- While the atmosphere and technical execution are strong, the antagonist's digital rendering and character development are less effective, with the film leaning more on mood and suspense than deep mythology or emotional depth.
- The movie touches on themes of guilt, isolation, and aimlessness, and includes intriguing references to American hobo codes and Christian imagery, though these elements are not fully developed.
- "Passenger" opens in theaters on May 22 from Paramount Pictures and is praised for its showmanship and ability to immerse audiences in a tense, unpredictable night-time journey despite some narrative shortcomings.