Review: ‘The Passenger’
A sharp, tightly-paced psychological thriller that emphasizes character over shock value, drawing out two powerful, unforgettable performances from leads Johnny Berchtold and Kyle Gallner in the process.
The presence of the Blumhouse logo always places certain expectations on a movie: scary, tense and thrilling, with a tried-and-tested, if overly familiar formula and jumpscares galore. The Blumhouse mantle has become, for better or worse, a brand in and of itself, a franchise or cinematic universe of its own spurred by films such as Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Happy Death Day and The Purge with a built-in audience that comes to see these movies fully knowing what they’re in for. The Passenger, the latest film from director Carter Smith that was produced by Blumhouse under their new TV banner, is the rare Blumhouse movie that does not fit that formula; a sharp, tightly-paced psychological thriller that emphasizes character over shock value, drawing out two powerful performances from leads Johnny Berchtold and Kyle Gallner in the process.
The Passenger centers on Bradley (Berchtold), a young man fresh out of high school who works at the local fast food joint in order to make ends meet. Frequently picked on by his co-worker Chris (Matthew Laureano) and micromanaged by his overbearing manager, Bradley’s only friend (if you can even call him that) at work is Benson (Gallner), the shady, secretive line cook who seems to have no goals or prospects, content with living his day-to-day life in a boring routine. One day, after witnessing Bradley being bullied by Chris, Benson takes matters into his own heads, leading to a brutal confrontation that will forever change the lives of both men as they know it. As he tries to outrun the consequences of his actions, Benson takes Bradley hostage as he goes on the run, with the latter desperately looking for a way out of his predicament.
Berchtold, who has delivered two impressive performances in indie dramas A Hard Problem and The Forbidden Wish, and was most recently seen in touching Netflix comedy Dog Gone, turns in what should ideally be a star-making turn as a meek young man who finds himself in an extremely precarious situation. Quiet, haunted and withdrawn, Bradley is not the most talkative or animated of characters but Berchtold manages to make him as incredibly dynamic as possible, with a complex, nuanced performance that is as empathetic and incisive as it is relatable and accessible. Berchtold digs deep into his character’s psyche, managing to effectively communicate Bradley’s tumultuous personal journey and inner turmoil with glances, stares and his body language alone, emerging with a haunting portrayal of guilt and isolation that will stay with viewers far after the credits roll.
Gallner, playing what initially appears to be Bradley’s foil, is in top form as the rabid and unpredictable Benson, who carries shades of Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver or Lou Bloom from Nightcrawler. At once both charming and repugnant, charismatic and off-putting, it is a supremely chaotic, tour-de-force of a performance that has to be seen in order to be believed. And while Benson could have easily been an irredeemable, abhorrent caricature in the hands of a lesser actor, Gallner is still able to make audiences sympathize with him even though Smith and screenwriter Jack Stanley don’t make it easy for him at all. Not much of a backstory is assigned to the character; instead, viewers have to read between the lines to discover what makes Benson tick as violently and furiously as he does, and Gallner helps as much as he can, conveying his character’s innermost thoughts and darkest secrets through an intensely intimidating physicality that says so much without verbalizing any of it at all.
And while Benson and Bradley may be worlds apart in terms of initial characterization, there is a duality of sorts to them that is driven by the impressive chemistry between both actors. Benson represents what Bradley could easily turn into if he has just one more bad day, and it’s fascinating to see the inner battle Bradley faces as he tries to figure out whether he wants to stick with Benson or return to life as he once knew it. Most importantly, however, Smith and Stanley never once asks us to place judgement on these characters no matter how dark or twisted their actions get. Instead, they try to make viewers understand what could cause a person to become as unhinged and ruthless as Benson seemingly is, and they mostly succeed, thanks to a layered, nuanced script and careful, empathetic direction.
Overall, The Passenger is an impressive acting showcase for its leads that may be small in scale but never in effectuality. A dark, dramatic character study above all else, it is always engaging and engrossing. And as brutal as it may get at times, the violence is never overdrawn or pervasive; Smith uses it sparingly throughout the film so that when it does hit, it truly makes an impact. While the film may be end up losing some of the gas in its tank as it reaches its final destination, it’s still a thrilling, surprisingly nuanced ride that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats until its surprisingly heartfelt conclusion.
The Passenger debuts on VOD on August 4, 2023.