Joy Ride (released as Roadkill in some countries) is a 2001 American psychological thriller directed by John Dahl, starring Paul Walker, Steve Zahn, and Leelee Sobieski. It’s a cat-and-mouse horror thriller set on the endless highways of the American Midwest, where a cruel prank spirals into a deadly game of revenge.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: The Setup
The movie begins with college student Lewis Thomas (Paul Walker) preparing for a cross-country drive to pick up his childhood crush, Venna (Leelee Sobieski). On the way, he decides to bail out his troublemaking older brother, Fuller (Steve Zahn), from jail in Salt Lake City. Fuller’s reckless, mischievous personality quickly contrasts with Lewis’s more responsible demeanor, setting up the dynamic for the rest of the film.
The CB Radio Prank
Fuller buys a CB radio for fun, and the brothers begin chatting with truckers as they drive. For entertainment, they pretend to be a flirtatious woman named “Candy Cane.” When a trucker calling himself Rusty Nail responds, Fuller and Lewis continue the joke, luring him to a motel room where they claim “Candy Cane” is waiting—a room actually occupied by a rude businessman they met earlier.
The prank goes horrifically wrong. The next day, they discover the man in the motel room was attacked—his jaw literally torn off. Realizing they’ve angered a dangerous and psychotic trucker, Lewis and Fuller try to move on, but the nightmare is only beginning.
The Game Begins
Rusty Nail begins stalking them on the open road, taunting them over the CB radio. He knows who they are, what car they’re driving, and where they’re going. The tone shifts from mischievous adventure to relentless psychological terror as he plays cruel mind games, smashing their car and threatening their lives.
They try to apologize, but Rusty Nail doesn’t want forgiveness—he wants to teach them a lesson about cruelty and humiliation.
The Kidnapping
After several close encounters, Rusty Nail abducts Venna, forcing Lewis and Fuller to follow his cryptic instructions. They are led to an abandoned motel, where the brothers must try to save her. The tension is unbearable as the unseen killer communicates through the radio, always one step ahead.
Movie Ending
In the climax, Rusty Nail sets up a deadly trap. He ties Venna to a chair in one motel room and rigs a shotgun in the adjacent room to fire if anyone opens the door to rescue her. Meanwhile, Fuller is severely injured while trying to disarm the setup. Lewis, panicked but determined, uses his engineering smarts to break through the motel wall from an adjoining room, freeing Venna just in time before the gun goes off.
As police swarm the scene, they find a truck crashed outside—but Rusty Nail’s body is missing. The radio crackles one last time with his voice, implying he’s still alive and watching. The film ends with an ominous note: the killer is out there, and the game may not be over.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a short audio sequence during the end credits where Rusty Nail’s voice is heard again over the CB radio, calmly speaking to another trucker and ordering a room under the name Candy Cane. It confirms that he survived and continues his deadly game—an eerie ending that perfectly fits the film’s tone.
Type of Movie
Joy Ride is a psychological thriller / road horror film with strong suspense and slasher elements. It blends the tension of Duel (1971) with the character-driven dynamics of a road-trip movie.
Cast
- Paul Walker as Lewis Thomas
- Steve Zahn as Fuller Thomas
- Leelee Sobieski as Venna Wilcox
- Ted Levine as the voice of Rusty Nail (uncredited)
- Jessica Bowman as Charlotte
- Stuart Stone as Danny
Film Music and Composer
The eerie and suspenseful score was composed by Marco Beltrami, known for his work on Scream and The Faculty. His mix of tense strings and ambient soundscapes amplifies the sense of isolation and dread on the highway.
Filming Locations
Filming took place across Nevada, Utah, and California, capturing the desolate beauty of the American highways. The vast, empty landscapes are more than just a backdrop—they symbolize isolation, vulnerability, and the unpredictable danger of the open road.
Awards and Nominations
While Joy Ride didn’t receive major awards, it earned strong critical praise for its direction, tension, and performances—especially Steve Zahn’s comedic yet layered portrayal of Fuller. The film has since achieved cult status as one of the best road thrillers of the 2000s.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was inspired by Steven Spielberg’s 1971 classic Duel, about a driver terrorized by an unseen trucker.
- The voice of Rusty Nail (Ted Levine) was recorded after filming, giving the killer an unnerving, disembodied presence.
- Several alternate endings were shot to keep audiences guessing during test screenings.
- The production team used real highway patrol officers in certain scenes for authenticity.
- The truck used by Rusty Nail was custom-built to look both ordinary and menacing—symbolizing the faceless nature of evil.
Inspirations and References
Joy Ride was written by J.J. Abrams and Clay Tarver, both of whom cited Duel, Deliverance, and The Hitcher as key inspirations. The theme of anonymous, unstoppable evil lurking behind everyday encounters is central to all of these stories.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several alternate endings were filmed:
- In one version, Rusty Nail is killed when his truck explodes at the end.
- Another version shows Venna and Lewis hearing Rusty Nail’s voice again while driving away, suggesting he’s still alive (a variation of what was used in the final film).
- Deleted scenes included more of Fuller’s backstory and a flirtatious tension between Venna and Lewis that was toned down to keep the focus on suspense.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There’s no direct novel adaptation, but Joy Ride is heavily influenced by the storytelling style of 1970s road thrillers and pulp horror fiction. Its tight pacing and psychological tension feel very much like something out of a Richard Matheson story (the author of Duel).
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The first CB radio conversation with “Rusty Nail.”
- The discovery of the mutilated motel guest.
- The cornfield chase where the truck emerges out of the darkness.
- The motel climax and rescue of Venna.
- The chilling post-credits radio call.
Iconic Quotes
- Rusty Nail: “Candy Cane… you there?”
- Fuller: “It was just a joke!”
- Rusty Nail: “You don’t know what I look like, but I know what you sound like.”
- Lewis: “We were just messing around. We didn’t mean anything by it.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Rusty Nail’s truck license plate changes slightly between scenes, hinting he may use multiple vehicles.
- The motel name “The Lone Star” is a subtle nod to isolation and danger.
- Rusty Nail’s voice was mixed with metallic and wind effects, giving it an inhuman, mechanical edge.
- The CB radio’s channel number (19) is traditionally used by real truckers, grounding the film in real-world culture.
Trivia
- Ted Levine (Rusty Nail) also played Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. His casting was intentionally kept secret to preserve the mystery.
- Paul Walker performed several of his own driving stunts.
- The film’s working title was Squelch, referring to CB radio interference.
- Joy Ride was produced by J.J. Abrams before he became known for Lost and Star Trek (2009).
Why Watch?
Joy Ride is an underrated gem for thriller lovers. It’s a masterclass in suspense through simplicity—a small cast, a confined setting, and a relentless villain you never fully see. If you enjoy films that turn ordinary settings into arenas of terror, this is one of the best road thrillers ever made.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Last Seduction (1994)
- Red Rock West (1993)
- Rounders (1998)
- You Kill Me (2007)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Duel (1971)
- The Hitcher (1986)
- Breakdown (1997)
- Wrong Turn (2003)
- Vacancy (2007)
- Wolf Creek (2005)
