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Øvredal’s Passenger Wins Praise for Style but Draws Mixed Reviews

Opening Friday, the R-rated highway horror was lauded for its cinematography, sound and creature work yet drew criticism for a thin screenplay and heavy reliance on jump scares.

Overview

  • Passenger opened in U.S. theaters on Friday and early reviews describe the film as a visually strong but uneven horror that blends vanlife motifs with roadside folklore.
  • Critics singled out inventive camerawork and specific set pieces—notably an outdoor projector sequence—as high points that lift otherwise routine scare beats.
  • Reviewers faulted the screenplay for underdeveloped character work and a pattern of jump scares that many said undermines the film’s tension.
  • Lou Llobell and Jacob Scipio earned notice for on-screen chemistry while Melissa Leo’s nomad character provides much of the film’s exposition about the Passenger.
  • Director André Øvredal has told interviewers the film intentionally leaves gaps in the antagonist’s lore and has discussed sequel or spin-off possibilities, though any continuation would depend on audience reaction and studio choices.