The Passenger
The brief
Vadim Perelman turns a simple cab ride premise into a slow-burn psychological trap that tightens around both driver and passenger with each mile marker. Djimon Hounsou anchors the claustrophobic tension as Hassan, while Kodi Smit-McPhee delivers an unsettling performance that keeps you guessing without ever tipping his hand too early. The film builds dread through highway monotony and cramped car conversations, creating that specific anxiety of being stuck somewhere you desperately want to leave. Perfect for fans of Locke or anyone who thinks the best thrillers happen in the most mundane places.
The verdict
If you crave psychological thrillers that build tension through intimate character work and can appreciate the slow burn of highway dread, this claustrophobic two-hander delivers genuine unease. If you need action beats or quick pacing to stay engaged, the deliberately monotonous car ride setting will likely test your patience.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for maximum tension
- ⚠️ Skip if you hate car-based thrillers
Heads up
- Psychological manipulation and threats (moderate)
- Potential terrorist plot implications (moderate)
- Racial profiling themes (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Vadim Perelman
- Cast
- Djimon Hounsou, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Leigh-Ann Rose, Carolina Campos, Tegan Couchman, Adrian McLean, Sarah Constible
Official synopsis
Hassan, a Somali-American airport shuttle driver in Minneapolis, is struggling to make ends meet. When Lloyd, a stranded twenty-something at the airport, offers to pay Hassan to take him overland to Chicago, it seems worth the risk. But as the realization grows that his passenger is not what he seems, Hassan finds himself trapped in a terrifying ride that he can’t escape, knowing that saving himself might put countless others in danger.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Stranger (2025)
Both feature dangerous passengers who threaten unsuspecting drivers.
Total runtime: 1h 33m + 2h 2m = 3h 35m
