Joy Ride

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Joy Ride

R,

2001,

1h 36m,

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Watchlist

73%

113 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

113 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

It's summer break and college freshman Lewis Thomas has decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to pick up the girl of his dreams, Venna. But Lewis' romantic hopes hit a detour when he stops on the way to rescue his older brother, Fuller, who goads him into playing a practical joke on a lonely trucker, over a CB radio. Now, that trucker, an unseen and terrifying force known only by his CB handle, Rusty Nail, wants the last laugh and revenge.

Critics Consensus

A well-constructed B-movie thriller, Joy Ride keeps up the necessary level of tension and chills. Critics also liked Zahn's performance as the goofball older brother.

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Anthony Breznican

Associated Press

Oct 25, 2018

Although its premise may not be original, Joy Ride is still tense, chilling escapism.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Oct 29, 2001

4.5/5

If you're looking to have your nerves fried and your pulse pounded, this is your ticket to ride.

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Stephanie Zacharek

Salon.com

Oct 12, 2001

Dahl works the audience like the dial of a car radio, testing out all manner of squeals and static and all-out, high-pitched terror.

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Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

Jul 23, 2023

4/5

The film yields every now and then so viewers can catch their breath, but once this taut and frantic thriller picks up speed again, Joy Ride earns its place as one of the best movies of its kind.

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Oct 12, 2021

3.5/5

While it's not perfect, Joy Ride manages to steer us in the direction of a memorable villain and an incredibly suspenseful climax.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Oct 8, 2021

3.5/5

Its use of female characters hasn't aged particularly well, but this high octane highway horror has great action, particularly the climax. The ties to gay panic, hate crimes and Matthew Shepard's death only makes Joy Ride more interesting

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Leia S

Dec 26, 2018

Hello Candy Cane? Are you out there Candy Cane? This movie Sucks

George W

Jul 18, 2018

While there are a few horror movie clichés, John Dahl's Joy Ride delivers a clever mix of thrills and even a bit of humor. The screenplay is good and the performances by Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn and Paul Walker are convincing, and their chemistry between them is entertaining. I found it to be a good old horror thrill, and reminded me a lot of The Hitcher (1986). While not the most grim horror pic out there, fans of the genre should love the pic. Recommended !!

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Abraham S

Mar 28, 2018

tHIS IS A FUN MOVIE THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THEN SCARE YOU A MINUTE LATER. I ENJOY THIS MOVIE EVERYTIME I WATCH IT.

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Harry R

Nov 1, 2017

The best line of the movie, IMO: "Is this some kind of fraternity stunt? Because if this weren't my restaurant, I'd say it's a pretty good one." The two male leads are kind of unlikeable though for getting Rusty Nail into that embarrassing incident. But, I did like how director John Dahl still managed to craft some incredibly suspenseful sequences into the narrative (that is, when they add to the narrative, otherwise they felt cheap). Still this was a decent thriller. 7/10

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Draco M

Sep 13, 2017

Very good film. One of my favorite thrillers. The first time watching it was a thrill and it's certainly a rewatchable movie.

Draco W

Sep 10, 2017

An intense and well thought-out thriller featuring Paul Walker.

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John Dahl

Director

Steve Zahn

Fuller

Paul Walker

Lewis

Leelee Sobieski

Venna

Jessica Bowman

Charlotte

Stuart Stone

Danny (Lewis's Roommate)

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54%

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10%

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28%

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Synopsis

It's summer break and college freshman Lewis Thomas has decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to pick up the girl of his dreams, Venna. But Lewis' romantic hopes hit a detour when he stops on the way to rescue his older brother, Fuller, who goads him into playing a practical joke on a lonely trucker, over a CB radio. Now, that trucker, an unseen and terrifying force known only by his CB handle, Rusty Nail, wants the last laugh and revenge.

Director: John Dahl
Producer: J.J. Abrams, Chris Moore
Screenwriter: Clay Tarver, J.J. Abrams
Distributor: Medusa Distribuzione, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: New Regency Pictures, Bad Robot, Regency Enterprises, LivePlanet
Rating: R (Violence|Terror)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.0M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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