The Passenger (2026) Review: 7/10 For This Claustrophobic Van Thriller

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

The Passenger (2026) is a psychological thriller film directed by Vadim Perelman. Hassan, a Somalian airport shuttle driver in Minneapolis, is struggling with financial problems. At the airport, he meets Lloyd, a young man who claims he needs to get to Chicago to visit his dying mother. Lloyd offers a large payment for Hassan to drive him there using Hassan’s van. Hassan takes the illegal job because he desperately needs the money. But midway through the journey, the secret is revealed: Lloyd is wearing a bomb vest and he is the one who bombed Minneapolis Airport, killing five people. At gunpoint, Hassan is trapped. He has to keep driving to Chicago while wrestling with a terrible dilemma: should he save himself or save others?

Critics have praised the acting showdown between Hounsou and Smit-McPhee. Hounsou’s performance is calm, emotional, and grounded as a desperate father. Smit-McPhee is the opposite: unpredictable with volatile energy. The premise is morally gray — not just a bomb thriller. It also tests moral boundaries: how far would you go for family or money? Hassan understands that if he saves himself, many more people will be killed.

However, critics also criticized the slow pacing because it is dominated by dialogue and threats, with minimal tension. The film is not new. The premise has been done before. Reviewers say the plot resembles other films, so don’t expect crazy plot twists. ScreenRant gave it a 7/10.

This film stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Djimon Hounsou, Leigh-Ann Rose and more.

In my opinion:

What a long night for a driver — a Somali immigrant who just wants to live a normal life in America. Yet he is confronted by a passenger, a young man who turns out to have an extreme worldview. The film basically has a simple and good story, but unfortunately, it feels like it has holes everywhere. Even though the atmosphere and the actors deliver the film very well.

So this is Lloyd’s story — a young man with a twisted perspective. He believes the world is unfair, that many people out there face injustice and are oppressed by the “more powerful side.” He meets, or rather chooses, Hassan, an airport shuttle driver, as his “vehicle” to Chicago to carry out his next terrorist act. What’s strange, though, is after Lloyd bombs the airport, what is his real purpose for going to Chicago? If he wants to detonate another bomb, who is the target and why Chicago, aside from the fact that his mother is being treated there?

That is one of the plot holes I noticed. There are actually several odd and questionable details. First, when Lloyd kills a police officer and takes his gun, there is a moment when he asks Hassan for the car keys and the keys fall. At that moment Lloyd picks them up and the two of them are very close. Why didn’t Hassan try to grab the gun? After all, Lloyd wasn’t pointing it at him. Second, when Lloyd gets out to make a phone call and buy snacks, why didn’t Hassan try to find his phone that fell under the seat? There were many opportunities when Lloyd wasn’t focused on him. Those are just two awkward details; there are a few more.

What I want to say is that it’s a shame that a film with such a good story idea was executed poorly. Especially since they cast Djimon Hounsou, who is truly expressive in his role. The visuals, audio, and cinematography aren’t bad either, but unfortunately there are several awkward details. This is a note for you, Mr. Director — don’t be offended, hehe.

For me this one is (yes i agree) 7/10.