The Passenger
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Passenger
The Passenger (2026) is a supernatural horror film directed by André Øvredal, released by Paramount Pictures on May 22, 2026. The movie follows an engaged couple, Maddie and Tyler, who embark on a van life adventure but find themselves relentlessly pursued by a demonic entity after witnessing a highway accident. The film is characterized by its intense scares, gruesome violence, and exploration of relationship dynamics under extreme duress. While critical reception has been mixed, it is aimed at adult audiences due to its R rating and graphic content.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains high levels of graphic violence and gore, featuring brutal attacks, severe injuries, and death at the hands of the demonic entity. These scenes are depicted with gruesome results and contribute significantly to the film's horror elements.
A demon smashes a man face-first into a windshield with gruesome results, showing blood and injuries. A person is impaled on a long stone staff. Maddie is forced to drive through a field littered with dead bodies wrapped in sheets, with the van's wheels crushing bodies and skulls to pulpy goop. The demonic entity grabs people with 'necrotized and gnarled hands,' leading to instances like Maddie being grabbed by the throat and a woman having her neck snapped and throat torn open, exposing 'gory musculature.'
Profanity
The movie includes a high frequency of strong profanity, with multiple instances of explicit curse words and misuses of religious figures' names, contributing to its R rating.
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult themes are central to the film, revolving around a demonic entity known as 'The Passenger' that stalks and kills travelers. The narrative involves supernatural encounters and attempts to combat the demon using religious artifacts and 'sanctified ground.'
Scary & Intense Content
The film is a strong supernatural horror, featuring consistent tension, numerous jump scares, and frightening imagery. The demonic entity creates a relentless atmosphere of dread and places characters in life-threatening situations throughout their journey.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
R-rated, recommended for audiences 17+ with strong parental guidance due to its strong violent content, graphic gore, pervasive strong language, and intense supernatural horror themes. Individuals under 17 are not permitted without an accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Good to Know
The film's overall critical reception was mixed, with some praising its effective scares and atmospheric direction, while others criticized its generic plot and underdeveloped characters. The narrative heavily relies on jump scares and a 'cat-and-mouse' dynamic. Viewers should be prepared for a focused horror experience rather than deep character development or complex mythology.
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