Norwegian director André Øvredal's new film 'Passenger' turns the mundane experience of driving into a suspenseful horror, as a mysterious figure terrorizes drivers on American highways.
Visual Style and Suspense
'Passenger' kicks off with a violent opening sequence, setting a visual motif of a rotating camera inside vehicles. This approach cleverly exploits limited fields of vision to create suspense, leaving characters and audiences questioning their perceptions.
The film culminates this suspense in a chilling moment when the eponymous Passenger's face briefly appears, creating an unsettling presence that haunts the film's narrative.
Main Characters and Themes
Lou Llobell stars as Maddie, who, along with her boyfriend Tyler (Jacob Scipio), trades a stable apartment life for the open road in an orange camper van. The film explores themes of stability versus the call of adventure, a tension that co-writers Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess weave into the characters' journey.
As Maddie and Tyler adapt to their new lifestyle, cracks begin to show. Their relationship is tested by the realities of van life, leading to a proposal and a longing for the comforts of a hotel stay.
Reality and Imagination
The couple encounters a dangerous driver who crashes, but Maddie alone sees the driver dragged back into the car by an unseen force. This blurring of reality and imagination continues throughout the film, challenging Maddie's perception of her experiences and her mental state.
A standout scene in an empty parking lot plays with Maddie's fears, as the van's location shifts with each glance, heightening the psychological tension.
A Surprising Third Act
In a refreshing twist, Maddie's confession of her visions is met with belief by Tyler, transforming them into a duo determined to confront the sinister Passenger. The film embraces its supernatural lore, revealed by the character Diana, played by Melissa Leo, as a highwayman from hell haunting the van life community.
This narrative shift to the uncanny is supported by nightmarish imagery, leading to a climactic battle between good and evil reminiscent of 'The Conjuring' series. Llobell's portrayal of Maddie anchors the film, her reactions critical to the unfolding horror.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/passenger-review-1236758047/
