Passenger Review: An A-tier B-movie
Horror movie fans have been eating really dang good so far this year, even if there's been a lot of stinkers thrown in the mix. It's always a good time to go out and support horror movies, especially low-budget or indie flicks. I was actually rather hooked by the promos for Passenger, even though the reviews weren't looking so hot. Rotten Tomatoes isn't really a be-all, end-all for any film, and there have been a couple of poorly rated horror movies this year that I've thoroughly enjoyed. So, was this a win or a miss? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will be tackling in today's review. Thanks for joining me, and I hope you enjoy your time on the site!
As always, I'll start with the negatives. This movie went on a little bit too long... or a lot too long. It's not even that long, clocking in at 94 minutes, but shortening it could've helped it be much better. That's really my only major gripe with the film: it drags. It's a strong enough gripe that without an incredible premise, the film feels generic and drawn out. Every scene delivers the supernatural scares well, but not really in any way that hasn't been seen before. Don't get me wrong, I'm game for a good film if it doesn't do anything particularly unique, I know nothing doesn't accidentally copy something in some way, but I also feel this overstayed its welcome, particularly in the second act.
However, as I said, the scares are still very much here, and are quite well done. I don't plug my ears or cover my eyes all that much anymore, but this film actually got me a couple of times. The supernatural scares have solid buildup and payoff, and just because this isn't "elevated horror" doesn't mean it's not still solid. The scares are drawn out and feature unique camera angles that made my skin crawl in a different way than other movies. The romance at the heart of the film also ties it all together neatly, as it's a cute element that makes you root for the characters.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 57%
Letter Score: B-
Star Ranking: 3 out of 5
Passenger isn't winning any creativity or memorability awards, but saying it isn't at least a film worth a thumbs-up is wild to me. The ultimate climax and win are also really well done and satisfying. I mean this in the kindest way possible, but this is truly an A-tier B-movie. Nothing more, but it doesn't really need to be.
Interested in checking out some recent reviews for some other horror and thriller films? See them below!
Brighton Nelson
Brighton NelsonEnjoy this review? Stay tuned for more articles from The Reel Ranker! Enjoy video games, music, or books? Check out our sister site, RPG Ranked, Mr. Maestro, and Brighton's Bookshelf, respectively!
