Blasco (Ramiro Blas) is a bullfighter-turned-exterminator-turned-taxi-driver. We see him lovingly preparing his van - which he calls "Nessa" - before leaving for a job. He picks up one woman, Mariela (Cecilia Suárez), who ignores him despite his listing saying he was "talkative". The following passengers are more lively, Marta (Paula Gallego) and her daughter Lidia (Cristina Alcázar). While Marta shows distaste for their driver and his attitude, Lidia displays a teenage fascination for what her mother despises. Blasco shows himself to be an outspoken chauvinist quickly, much to Mariela and Marta’s displeasure, which makes the trip tense. There is constant argument until it begins to grow dark. In the middle of the road, a woman appears. Blasco can’t avoid the collision and, in a panic, keeps driving. After some convincing, they return to the scene to help the woman. She is injured terribly, so the group bundles her into the back of the van. The passenger, however, isn’t what she seems to be. She attacks the van’s occupants, turning the awkward road trip into a nightmare.
I love a good creature feature. Sadly, The Passenger is not one. I was drawn to review this film because it promised excellent physical effects. Outstanding use of spirit gum isn’t enough to carry a feature film. The characters are incredibly un-relatable from the get-go. Their conversation is painful, resembling more a hyperbole of Twitter arguments than genuine human conversation. Blasco is unbelievably inept at being a service worker, berating, insulting, and arguing with his customers the moment they come into contact with him. The women are shallow and one-dimensional, reduced to hysterical caricatures by sexist writing. Even people who typically find such content funny will find The Passenger ham-fisted and unbelievable. Blasco’s initial creepiness towards teenage Lidia makes their continued relationship seem forced and unrealistic. Worst of all, this ‘body snatchers' type alien invasion lacks any attempts at creativity. It was like I had seen this same movie at least five separate times. The Passenger may be an option if your patrons can’t get enough of the creature feature subgenre, but otherwise, you should direct them to far better titles such as Return of Swamp Thing, Black Friday, or Blue Monkey. Purely Optional Purchase.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
The Passenger belongs on horror shelves.