Joy Ride (2001): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Joy Ride is a 2001 action thriller directed by John Dahl, starring Leelee Sobieski. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $36.6 million worldwide on a $23 million budget. Critics gave it 75 on Metacritic.
English What Is Joy Ride About?
The premise of Joy Ride without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During a road trip from Colorado to New Jersey, three friends' casual conversation on a CB radio leads to a terrifying encounter with a menacing trucker. What begins as playful banter quickly escalates into a dangerous game as they realize the trucker’s sinister nature. Now, they must use their wits and courage to survive a relentless pursuit by a ruthless killer on the open road, fighting for their lives with each passing mile.
Joy Ride Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- truck driver
- truck
- brother brother relationship
- kidnapping
- irresponsibility
- stupidity
- fear
- mistaken identity
- woman in jeopardy
- attempted murder
- race against time
- panic
+38 more Show fewer
- car truck chase
- prank gone wrong
- male rear nudity
- insanity
- psychopathic killer
- abduction
- harassment
- prank
- on the road
- revenge
- chase
- public nudity
- paranoia
- mysterious villain
- murder
- cornfield
- stalking
- psychopath
- motel
- surprise ending
- cb radio
- neo noir
- stupid man
- brutality
- torture
- recklessness
- escape
- ambiguous ending
- love interest
- college student
- booby trap
- psychological thriller
- near death experience
- survival
- violence
- mercilessness
- hostage
- rescue
Joy Ride Cast
Leelee Sobieski stars in Joy Ride. Directed by John Dahl.
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Director John Dahl
More from John Dahl
More films directed by John Dahl, best-rated first: The Last Seduction, Red Rock West, You Kill Me and Rounders.
Joy Ride Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Joy Ride 75 on Metacritic.
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Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB
Joy Ride Plot Summary
What happens in Joy Ride from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 7-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lewis is talking to Venna, Leelee Sobieski on the phone, and the distance between their colleges feels suddenly wider than the miles that separate them. Venna reveals she and her boyfriend have just broken up, and she frets about needing a ride home. In a bid to seem capable and independent, Lewis fibs that he owns a car and could drive across the country to fetch her. The next day, fate nudges him toward reality: he buys a used car, a move that shifts the plan from fantasy to possible road-splitting truth.
Full summary
The whole story of Joy Ride, scene by scene
Joy Ride Box Office & Budget
Joy Ride grossed $36.6 million worldwide on a $23 million budget, 1.6 times what it cost. $22 million came from the US and Canada and $14.7 million (40%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$36.6M
1.6× its budget
- US & Canada
- $22M
- International
- $14.7M
- Budget
- $23M
Joy Ride Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Joy Ride.
How Well Do You Know Joy Ride?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which character pretends to be the fictional call‑girl "Candy Cane" on the CB radio?
Cars in Joy Ride
51 cars on screen, including the 1971 Chrysler Newport and the 1985 Peterbilt 359 EXHD.
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1971 Chrysler Newport Main role -
1985 Peterbilt 359 EXHD Main role -
1973 Ford F-250 Important role -
1998 BMW M Roadster E36/7 Minor role
Joy Ride Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Une virée en enfer” and “Roadkill”.
- Also known as
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- Une virée en enfer
- Roadkill
- Joyride
- Kéjutazás
- Virée d'enfer
- 死神勾线
- 惊心之旅
- 玩出祸
- Joy Ride 1
- Frecuencia Mortal
- Jízda do pekel
- Joy Ride - Spritztour
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- Perseguição
- Joyride - Spritztour
- Radio Killer
- Asla Yabancılarla Oynama
- Ничего себе поездочка
- Nunca juegues con extraños
- 致命玩笑
- Não Brinques com Estranhos
- Prześladowca
- Călătorie plăcută
- לעולם אל תשחקו עם זרים
- Perseguição: A Estrada da Morte
- Убиец на пътя
- 캔디 케인
- ロードキラー
- Jazda do pekiel
- Trò Đùa Chết Người
- Нічого собі поїздочка
- Smagus pasivažinėjimas
Seen Joy Ride?
Movies Like Joy Ride
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead, Joyride and The Hitcher.
Joy Ride FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Joy Ride, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Joy Ride?
Joy Ride runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Joy Ride released?
Joy Ride was released on October 5, 2001.
Who directed Joy Ride?
Joy Ride was directed by John Dahl.
More films by John Dahl Who is in the cast of Joy Ride?
Joy Ride stars Leelee Sobieski.
How much did Joy Ride make at the box office?
Joy Ride grossed $36.6 million worldwide ($22 million domestic, $14.7 million international) on a budget of $23 million.
How is Joy Ride rated?
Joy Ride has 75 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Does Joy Ride have a post-credit scene?
No. Joy Ride has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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