The film opens with a visceral and disturbing image: a woman with blood streaming from her eye. She is standing in front of a young boy, who witnesses in horror. The woman’s identity is unknown. The scene appears to be a nightmare that wakes Randy Bradley (Johnny Berchtold) from his slumber.

Unable to go back to sleep, Randy decides to get dress and drive to a local fast food restaurant where he prepares for his morning shift. Hardy (Billy Slaughter) arrives and assigns today’s task to employees, then he calls Randy into his office.

Hardy has been pleased with Randy’s performance, and he believes that Randy has the potential to pursue a managerial position. Hardy encourages Randy to think about his future and make a decision about what he wants to do.

Chris (Matthew Laureano), a bully who regularly targets Randy, confronts him, believing that Randy ratted him out to the manager. Chris forces Randy to eat a moldy burger. Benson (Kyle Gallner) attempts to intervene, but Chris dismisses him.

Benson steps out of the restaurant for a moment, then returns with a shotgun in his hands. He begins firing, killing Chris, Jess (Jordan Sherley), and Hardy. Randy has the chance to flee, but he stands there, frozen in tears. Benson spares Randy’s life and orders him to help move the bodies to the freezer and clean up the blood on the floor and walls.

You mean why are you here right now? Because, Randy, I have been watching you, and I know for a fact that you are better than this shit. You have a full-sized, honest-to God, functioning human brain. And yet, today, I watched you eat a day-old cheeseburger because a walking dick with arms fucking told you to.

Benson secures the restaurant doors and forcefully takes Randy with him for a ride. Randy is confused and scared, wondering why Benson did what he did. Benson explains that he has been watching Randy for some time, and he is impressed by Randy’s intelligence and potential. However, Benson is also frustrated by Randy’s willingness to let others take advantage of him. Benson believes that he can help Randy change his ways, and he is determined to do so.

People go to fast food places ‘cause they need something to eat. A mall serves absolutely no purpose. They just lump together every form of consumption in one giant, glittering, air-conditioned asshole.

An intriguing take on the road movie genre with a psychological thriller film directed by American filmmaker Carter Smith based on a script writtend by Jack Stanley. The story follows two men who are polar opposites: one man is mired in his past mistakes, unable to move forward or make his own decisions; the other man, who also appears to have a dark secret past, is not afraid to use violence to solve his problems.

The film’s success hinges on the relationship between two unlikely characters, and it works brilliantly. Both lead actors give believable performances, but Kyle Gallner is particularly noteworthy. He is absolutely mesmerizing in his role, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats wondering what he will do next. I am amazed that I have already seen several of his films before, but none of them compare to his performance in this one. I am looking forward to watch his next film.

Although the film does not deliver a satisfying conclusion that would lead the story into a darker and more complex path, the journey of the two wounded souls, victims of violence, will not be forgotten.

THE PASSENGER was released digitally on 4 August 2023 by MGM+.