i'm watching the hitcher (2007) and it's about how Sean Bean is after a couple of college students because, after they agreed to give him a ride, they kick him out after he hit on the girl. instead of taking the L and being on his way (however he can), he goes after them on and on. i'm 50 minutes in, and he killed a family of four, and all the cops of a small town precinct.
it reminded me of a 2020 movie, unhinged. Russell Crowe is stopped at a red light that turned green. the mom behind him, in a rush to drop her son to school, honked at him. he clearly didn't like it, and killed (at least) her brother and her best friend. i especially disliked this one because in the end, when it's been a couple weeks/months since it all happened (at least), mum was about to honk at a guy who cut her off, but stopped herself. wdym her son tells her ''good choice'' ??
i don't understand why Hollywood is making these type of movies. granted, i've only found two so it might be a niche trope, but it's two too many for me.
EDIT : i'm confused as to what i've said to make anyone think i wanted more recs ! i was ranting about the trope, not wanting more of it 😅
Duel (1971)
Steven Spielberg's first movie and it's a masterpiece.
12
djprojexionMar 26, 2026
+10
Changing Lanes (2002)
10
ForgetfulFrolickerMar 26, 2026
+1
This is a cool movie. I love the scene with the hacker guy.
1
RepairmanJackXMar 26, 2026
+16
The original Hitcher with Rutger Hauer
16
stinkbonesjonesMar 26, 2026
+3
Classic
3
heavydrinker12Mar 26, 2026
+3
The French fries bro....I love that scene
3
RepairmanJackXMar 26, 2026
+2
Finger food?
2
Dear_Type_8972Mar 26, 2026
You didnt read the anything besides the thread title.
0
RepairmanJackXMar 26, 2026
+1
There are many movies that follow this plot. OP doesn’t like that there are more than two. There are many more
I’d offer “Unlawful Entry” as another uncomfortable entry.
Even “strangers on a train” fits this sort of plot and that movie was made in the 1950s.
1
IWantChivesBroMar 26, 2026
+6
Breakdown (1997)
6
unsquashable74Mar 26, 2026
+2
So underrated. Man, I miss J.T. Walsh.
2
Electrical-Essay-229Mar 26, 2026
+5
I mean, these movies are an escalation of some real life situations, like helping a hitchhiker and having road rage. I’ve honked at a person not paying attention who then got out of his car and stood at my car window for a minute (possibly to into donate me?). I’m sure we’ve all heard stories about what has happened to or may happen to hitchhikers.
5
Friendly_Article_429Mar 26, 2026
-2
i get it, but to go from being honked at to kill multiple people that stood between you and the guy that honked at you ?
i get it, it's an exageration, but still. i'd rather watch a movie about a guy that kills for any other reason. even Syd's niece who killed her friends and family to become the new Syd and be famous. shitty reason, still a better one imo
-2
Academic_Bluebird455Mar 26, 2026
+1
If you'd rather watch another movie, why did you watch the two you mentioned?
I enjoyed 'Unhinged' a lot. Your lack of enjoyment shouldn't restrict others.
1
Friendly_Article_429Mar 26, 2026
+1
what a weird thing to say. why should whether or not i enjoyed a movie should have an influence on your enjoyment of the same movie ?
1
Academic_Bluebird455Mar 27, 2026
+1
"I'd rather watch a movie for any other reason" sounds like you want fewer movies like this to be made.
Your post reads like you were ambushed into watching this genre.
1
Friendly_Article_429Mar 27, 2026
+1
and it sounds like you truly need to work on not twisting people's words to understand what you feel like understanding. saying ''this is a bullshit trope and no more movies about it should ever be made'' means exactly that, which isn't what i said.
and if i did mean that, it'd be my opinion on the subject to have. if you're so influencable that a stranger's opinion on a movie you really enjoyed would affect your enjoyment of it, why engaging with me or anyone else, really ? clearly, you'd eventually end up talking with people who have a different opinion. if it's something you can't handle, don't start a convo with them.
1
Academic_Bluebird455Mar 27, 2026
+1
Your opinion is yours, we're all on here to discuss or vent at times. It's just a strange hill to die on.
It's a niche genre; you probably see this kind of film like twice a decade, so it's bewildering to see someone this pent up over it.
1
Friendly_Article_429Mar 27, 2026
+1
you read me criticize a movie you enjoyed. you must have known whatever you'll say won't change my mind, and you still decided to comment. it's possible for people to discuss a piece of media, even if one liked it and the other didn't, but they have to agree to be mature about it in the first place. out of everyone who read the same message you did, you're the only one who had their feelings hurt because a stranger didn't like a movie they do. you wanted to be immature about it, now that i'm at your level suddenly i'm choosing ''a strange hill to die on''. but again, you're the one who saw your favorite movie mentioned in a post criticizing it, and you chose to leave a comment.
1
sugarlight_zxcMar 26, 2026
+5
Death Proof — Twisted car chases with a revenge edge.
5
HellOfAThingMar 26, 2026
+9
Maybe not exactly the genre you’re looking for but Falling Down with Michael Douglas is an excellent movie, from the 1990s. He plays a guy who’s just had enough - it starts with traffic and escalates from there.
9
reddfawksMar 26, 2026
+2
The whole scene at the fast food place is still an absolute fave of mine.
2
Emperor_ZarMar 26, 2026
+1
I too would recommend this here. Great movie.
1
djln491Mar 26, 2026
+4
Unhinged had so many plot holes it was just frustrating to watch. And the opening scene spoiled the fact that the guy was psychotic so there really wasn’t much left
4
GwyneeeMar 26, 2026
+3
Unhinged had a pretty intense first half but then by the second half it felt like they'd played all their cards and it felt kinda flat.
3
Massive_Space1034Mar 26, 2026
+7
if you want the absolute blueprint for this genre, you have to watch spielberg’s *duel* (1971). it’s just one guy, a car, and a terrifying truck with no motive. pure anxiety for 90 minutes straight. *unhinged* with russell crowe is also a decent modern pick if you want something more brutal.
7
ItsLaidAndImBoardMar 26, 2026
+3
Wild Tales (2014). It’s an anthology-movie, so it consist of (I think) five different stories. They’re all good, but one of them is specifically about road rage, and it’s great!
3
bjorneylolMar 26, 2026
+3
It's not a movie but the TV show BEEF is basically just 2 people's road rage incident escalating until their lives spiral out of control
3
pop-1988Mar 26, 2026
+3
In Unhinged, The Man hasn't slept all night after he firebombed his ex-wife and family. He wasn't just stopped at the green light. He was asleep. She didn't make him unhinged
He had a backstory explaining his path to violent insanity
The Man in Unhinged is vengeful and violent. If he wasn't insane, the movie wouldn't be a 90-minute thriller
It's similar to stalker movies like Single White Female and Basic Instinct, where the crazy character harasses the victim for months or years - thrills and suspense make for an entertaining movie
3
Sinja_MinxMar 26, 2026
+2
Maximum Overdrive
2
verb505Mar 26, 2026
+1
Falling Down
1
JaguarNeat8547Mar 26, 2026
+1
This isn't a road rage movie, but my favorite road rage reference in a movie is Steve Martin getting on the freeway, then casually and unconsciously reaching into his glove box, pulling out a handgun, and firing randomly out his window.
i think that was LA Story.
1
shotsalloverMar 26, 2026
+1
_Freeway_.
1
RedbulldildoMar 26, 2026
+1
Falling down is a version of this done well.
1
hoewreckerMar 26, 2026
+1
While not as extreme as the movies you mentioned, did you ever see the dashcam footage of the guy who snapped and started driving through a road that was closed off for a parade? Thankfully he didn't kill or injure or anyone but it's still insane to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8gMd9XZJyg
41 Comments