The Passenger is the latest horror flick to come out of Spain and features a group of strangers that are forced to travel together via a cheap rideshare service driven by ex-pest exterminator Blasco. Along for the ride are a mother-daughter duo and a cancer-stricken woman, all of whom are going through the country backroads in search of a renowned healer.

Naturally, the group encounters some strangeness along the way, specifically after Blasco hits a woman with his van who turns out to still be alive (sorta). Apparently the mysterious woman already had some major problems before getting hit by the group and she ultimately turns violent on everyone, as if possessed by a demon (or alien, or perhaps a demonic alien). A much bigger threat will ultimately be revealed to everyone, but first they have to survive the dang trip.

The movie blends a number of different elements together to give us an interesting look at a seemingly simple road trip and that’s where the film shines. Combining comedic elements along with an alien organism that turns people into zombie-ish creatures results in a derivative, yet, entertaining drive through the secluded town roads of Spain.

The pacing is also fairly solid and there’s some decent practical effects and the occasional gory scene, but it’s no splatterfest, though it easily could’ve been. The small group of semi-likable characters all have their quirks, though the film mostly focuses on the driver Blasco (whom you kinda hate, but also like as the movie progresses) and the physically scarred daughter to one of the passengers. And while I love road trip movies, luckily it doesn’t spend the entire time in the van, as that would’ve grown pretty tiring.

The flick doesn’t really have much of a story, nor does it offer us anything we haven’t already seen from the genre, but it is entertaining for the most part, especially if you’re in the mood for a creature feature of sorts.