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Joy Ride

Play trailer Poster for Joy Ride R 2001 1h 36m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
74% Tomatometer 116 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
It's summer break and college freshman Lewis Thomas has decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to pick up the girl of his dreams, Venna. But Lewis' romantic hopes hit a detour when he stops on the way to rescue his older brother, Fuller, 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.
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Joy Ride

Joy Ride

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Anthony Breznican Associated Press Oct 25, 2018
Although its premise may not be original, Joy Ride is still tense, chilling escapism. Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone Oct 29, 2001
4.5/5
If you're looking to have your nerves fried and your pulse pounded, this is your ticket to ride. Go to Full Review Stephanie Zacharek Salon.com Oct 12, 2001
Dahl works the audience like the dial of a car radio, testing out all manner of squeals and static and all-out, high-pitched terror. Go to Full Review Paul Lê Bloody Disgusting Jul 23, 2023
4/5
The film yields every now and then so viewers can catch their breath, but once this taut and frantic thriller picks up speed again, Joy Ride earns its place as one of the best movies of its kind. Go to Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Oct 12, 2021
3.5/5
While it's not perfect, Joy Ride manages to steer us in the direction of a memorable villain and an incredibly suspenseful climax. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast Oct 8, 2021
3.5/5
Its use of female characters hasn't aged particularly well, but this high octane highway horror has great action, particularly the climax. The ties to gay panic, hate crimes and Matthew Shepard's death only makes Joy Ride more interesting Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 6 hrs ago Joy Ride = a 3.5 star Movie See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 3, 2026 Not Bad, but Not My Favorite See more Ernie K @ErnieK Aug 27, 2026 Paul Walker and Steve Zahn make a comically believable duo, and Leelee Sobieski adds the necessary female dynamic to them within the framework of a genuinely scary ride to fright. Builds gradually in story and chills to a riveting climax that is undeniably entertaining. If you're able to lose yourself in a story very reminiscent of Spielberg's very early and gritty drama "Duel" then buckle up for a truly enjoyable ride! See more JOSHUA K @defmagic Aug 7, 2026 I have really fond memories of watching *Joy Ride* with friends during weekend sleepovers. No matter how many times we had seen it, the same scenes would still happily freak us out every time. This is the kind of simple, well-made movie I miss from that era. It tells a unique story that feels grounded enough that you could imagine something like it actually happening. That alone makes it more effective than a lot of modern lower-budget movies that try to do too much. Any movie that makes me think, question what I’m seeing, or wonder if it was inspired by something real is already doing something right. Steve Zahn and Paul Walker were also a great duo and helped make the whole thing work. Solid **B+** for me. See more Jeremiah C @jwormizzle2005 Jun 29, 2026 Just a classic and fun movie to watch for anyone looking for suspense and thrill! I DO recommend; acquired taste. See more Aiden D. @yochillbrotatochip Jun 14, 2026 WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. I would say this movie is great just upon the plot and the creativity. And they start the movie just about right away so you aren’t just sitting there waits for something interesting to happen. The only reason this movie isn’t five stars is just because of the fact of so many car chases that it’s just repetitive. See more Read all reviews
Joy Ride

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Cast & Crew

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John Dahl

Director

Steve Zahn

Fuller

Paul Walker

Lewis

Leelee Sobieski

Venna

Jessica Bowman

Charlotte

Stuart Stone

Danny (Lewis's Roommate)

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Joy Ride

Number 17 proves to be unlucky for Fuller (Steve Zahn, left) and Lewis (Paul Walker), after their practical joke on a lonely trucker goes horribly awry. (left to right) Lewis (Paul Walker), Venna (Leelee Sobieski) and Fuller (Steve Zahn) flee from a vicious trucker out for revenge. Director John Dahl prepares for a shot on the set of his contemporary thriller, JOY RIDE. Leelee Sobieski, left, Steve Zahn and Paul Walker make a horrific discovery. Leelee Sobieski eyes a foreboding truck that has been following her. Steve Zahn stars as Lewis' trouble-making older brother, Fuller. Leelee Sobieski stars as Venna, the girl of Lewis' dreams. Lewis (Paul Walker, left) and Fuller (Steve Zahn) are put in a revealing situation after playing a prank on a lonely trucker. Paul Walker stars as Lewis, a college freshman who embarks on a cross-country road trip for the summer. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis It's summer break and college freshman Lewis Thomas has decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to pick up the girl of his dreams, Venna. But Lewis' romantic hopes hit a detour when he stops on the way to rescue his older brother, Fuller, 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.
Director
John Dahl
Producer
J.J. Abrams, Chris Moore
Screenwriter
Clay Tarver, J.J. Abrams
Distributor
Medusa Distribuzione, 20th Century Fox
Production Co
New Regency Pictures, Bad Robot, Regency Enterprises, LivePlanet
Rating
R (Violence|Terror)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 5, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$22.0M
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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