Joy Ride

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Joy Ride

R

2001

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

116 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.

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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

10/25/2018

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

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

10/29/2001

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

10/12/2001

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

07/23/2023

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

10/12/2021

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

10/08/2021

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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JOSHUA K

@defmagic 2d

I have really fond memories of watching *Joy Ride* with friends during weekend sleepovers. No matter how many times we had seen it, the same scenes would still happily freak us out every time. This is the kind of simple, well-made movie I miss from that era. It tells a unique story that feels grounded enough that you could imagine something like it actually happening. That alone makes it more effective than a lot of modern lower-budget movies that try to do too much. Any movie that makes me think, question what I’m seeing, or wonder if it was inspired by something real is already doing something right. Steve Zahn and Paul Walker were also a great duo and helped make the whole thing work. Solid **B+** for me.

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Jeremiah C

@jwormizzle2005 Jun 29

Just a classic and fun movie to watch for anyone looking for suspense and thrill! I DO recommend; acquired taste.

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Aiden D.

@yochillbrotatochip Jun 14

WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. I would say this movie is great just upon the plot and the creativity. And they start the movie just about right away so you aren’t just sitting there waits for something interesting to happen. The only reason this movie isn’t five stars is just because of the fact of so many car chases that it’s just repetitive.

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Apr 5

Funny and frightening, it IS quite the "joy ride!"

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Steven F.

@SteveGotScored Apr 3

Such a nail biting thriller!

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Brayden B

@Bman0712 Mar 9

I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. But this was a very fun watch. It isn't a full on jump scare filled movie, it is that adrenaline filling movie to get you scared but not horrified. Highly recommend.

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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)

Copycat

76%

65%

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24%

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Stay

26%

69%

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TRAILER

for Stay

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40%

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67%

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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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