Joy Ride 2001

Joy Ride

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.

74%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 114

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 63,804

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Joy Ride Photos

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Movie Info

It's summer break and college freshman Lewis Thomas (Paul Walker) has decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to pick up the girl of his dreams, Venna (Leelee Sobieski). But Lewis' romantic hopes hit a detour when he stops on the way to rescue his older brother, Fuller (Steve Zahn), 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.
  • Rating:
    R (Violence|Terror)
  • Genre:
    mystery and thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Dahl
  • Producer:
    J.J. Abrams, Chris Moore
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $22.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Bad Robot, New Regency Pictures, LivePlanet, Regency Enterprises
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Steve Zahn
Fuller
Paul Walker
Lewis
Leelee Sobieski
Venna
Jessica Bowman
Charlotte
Stuart Stone
Danny (Lewis's Roommate)
Basil Wallace
Officer Keeney
Brian Leckner
Officer Keeney
Jim Beaver
Sheriff Ritter
John Dahl
Director
Clay Tarver
Writer
J.J. Abrams
Writer
J.J. Abrams
Producer
Chris Moore
Producer
Arnon Milchan
Executive Producer
Patrick Markey
Executive Producer
Bridget Johnson
Executive Producer
Jeff Jur
Cinematographer
Robert Pearson
Production Designer
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Critic Reviews for Joy Ride

All Critics (114) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (84) | Rotten (30)

View All Critic Reviews (114)

Audience Reviews for Joy Ride

  • Oct 07, 2012
    Like a bigger, dumber version of Spielberg's "Duel" with excellent production values.
    Stephen M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 28, 2012
    Surprisingly interesting, quite similar to duel, but also like The Hitchhiker. It's suspenseful but with fun elements at the same time. Can't say that it's a great movie, but certainly enjoyable when I was younger.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Mar 20, 2012
    When it come to the horror genre the most likely victims are annoying teenagers and often we want to see these characters get killed. That wasn't the case with this movie, though lacking in scares, it deliver some entertainment. Joy Ride is about three young people on a road trip from Colorado to New Jersey who talk to a trucker on their CB radio, then must escape when he turns out to be a psychotic killer. Now clearly the movie doesn't do a good job of providing any scares as the truck driver is never menacing and the atmosphere really doesn't work in this movie. Though it will disappoint horror fans for it lacks of scares, at least the story is actually good and not too over the top like other horror movies. We actually want these teenagers to live and they never come out as annoying which is a welcome from the cliche characters we're tire of seeing. It's certainly better than most of the horror movies with teenagers as the main character, but it's nothing special and the fact that it has no scares is a letdown. Now when it come to horror movie the cast is usually what sells it for me, the cast does a good job. Though I am disappointed that not one of them offer anything memorable and the killer truck driver never comes out terrifying. Now while on the topic of characters, I will say we do get to learn quite allot about them. It what helps separates this movie because they're not constantly craving drugs and sex which is honestly the only kind of characters like Jason ever kills and I had enough of that to be honest. Joy Ride fails to provide any scares, but it's characters and story redeems it from being a disaster. While no the ideal horror and certainly not for everyone, it's definitely worth a watch.
    Caesar M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2011
    Great tongue-in-cheek entertainment. Thrilling and fast-paced.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
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