A late-night road trip becomes a waking nightmare in Passenger, the supernatural horror film now showing only in cinemas. Produced by Walter Hamada, the creative force behind The Conjuring and It, the movie follows a young couple pursued by a sinister entity lurking along isolated highways after dark.
Watch the trailer here:
Horror Meets Emotional Reality
While Passenger delivers chilling supernatural scares, its emotional core is what truly drives the story. The film centers on Madi and Tyler, a couple whose adventurous journey slowly reveals deeper tensions within their relationship.
For co-writer Zachary Donohue, creating believable characters was essential.
“We wanted a movie with characters you would root for, going through this journey,” explains co-writer Zachary Donohue (horror movie The Den). “Tyler has this idealized, romantic version of the American road trip, almost like a Jack Kerouac novel. He’s so ebullient and charismatic about that dream, that Madi can’t help but fall in love with it, as well.”
As their travels continue, however, reality begins to settle in. Endless highways, sleepless nights, and the dangers of living on the road force Madi to confront difficult questions about her future.
‘Maybe this isn’t the life for me. But I love this guy so much,’” continues Donohue. “It’s really a movie about the two of them advocating for what they want, but also trying to figure out if what they want is with each other.”
That grounded emotional conflict is exactly what attracted Hamada to the project.
“The scariest movies are the ones that are the most relatable, with regular people in regular situations – and then something scary thrown on top of it. That’s why we love haunted house movies. And when this idea came along, it was such a fresh spin – a haunted house movie on wheels.”
A Different Kind of Horror Dynamic
Jacob Scipio, known for Bad Boys for Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die, stars as Tyler. According to the actor, the screenplay stood out because it avoided familiar horror movie clichés.
“I just love the idea that it subverts the typical horror genre. Usually, you’ve got one character who’s in on the scare, who understands this demon or whatever may be after them, and everybody else doesn’t believe him. But what I loved about this is that Madi sees The Passenger, and Tyler doesn’t, but he believes her the whole way through. Even though he has no proof of it.”
That trust strengthens the couple’s connection throughout the nightmare.
“So they’re really a team, the whole way through. They back each other – and they love each other.”
Lou Llobell Takes On Her First Major Horror Role
Starring opposite Scipio is Lou Llobell, best known for the acclaimed sci-fi series Foundation. Although she admits horror movies usually terrify her, that fear ultimately worked in her favor while filming Passenger.
““I don’t watch a lot of horror movies – which is why doing one is great. I get scared really easily, and if you watch my scenes, you’ll see that.”
The actress also appreciated the intensity of the screenplay, noting that every moment carries emotional and physical consequences.
“But I’ve been dying to do something different. And with this story, every single scene has really high stakes. Every decision the characters make is important for them to survive. And, as an actor, that’s great to work with, because there’s always a reason for every single thing you’re doing.”
Melissa Leo Adds Mystery and Gravitas
Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo joins the cast as Diane, an experienced van lifer who understands the horrifying truth behind the entity haunting the couple.
Director André Øvredal praised Leo’s commitment and professionalism throughout production.
“She brought a gravitas to her character that was just outstanding to watch,” reveals director André Øvredal. “She would hang around with the crew, sit with us all day on set, watch us work and prep – and be ready to go immediately.”
Her dedication impressed everyone on set, especially when she volunteered to handle stand-in duties herself during technical rehearsals.
“Such an amazing professional and collaborator. A real star to work with.”
The Passenger Is More Than Just a Monster
Unlike traditional horror villains, The Passenger is designed to unsettle audiences psychologically as much as physically.
“He’s demonic, so he could just kill them. But he doesn’t want to,” says Hamada. “He likes to play with his food. He likes to torment them. He likes to drive a wedge between people. He feeds off that fear and anxiety. He waits until the meat is seasoned properly, and then he consumes their souls.”
The creature’s disturbing stillness became one of the film’s defining features. Actor Joseph Lopez worked closely with Øvredal to create subtle movements and an eerie screen presence.
“He [actor Joseph Lopez, who plays The Passenger] and I spent a lot of time rehearsing various walks and movements. And he even went to a movement coach, to figure out what could be interesting moments for him,” Øvredal says. “But in the end, we just ended up with the sinister shape of somebody in the distance.”
That uncertainty, according to the director, creates the film’s most haunting moments.
It’s the presence, the unpredictability of the unknown – where you don’t know what he’s going to do – that’s the most scary.”
Passenger is now showing only in cinemas. Distributed locally by Paramount Pictures PH.
