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Thriller

Traffik (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Traffik (2018) movie poster

Traffik is a 2018 thriller directed by Deon Taylor, starring Paula Patton as Brea, William Fichtner and Omar Epps. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $9.5 million worldwide on a $4 million budget. Critics gave it 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
29%
worldwide gross
$9.5M
Echo Score
38
Traffik (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Deon Taylor
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Traffik About?

The premise of Traffik without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During a romantic weekend in the desert, two couples find their idyllic getaway shattered when a ruthless biker gang arrives. What begins as a chance encounter quickly turns into a fight for survival as tensions rise and unexpected alliances are formed. The group must confront their attackers and unravel a dangerous conspiracy while desperately trying to escape the escalating violence.

Traffik Themes & Keywords

· 37 tags
  • murder
  • death
  • husband wife relationship
  • violence
  • kidnapping
  • flashback
  • police
  • fight
  • blood
  • biker gang
  • female police officer
  • chained to a wall
+25 more
  • pokies
  • infinity pool
  • bare chested male
  • female topless nudity
  • chinese take out
  • semi tractor trailer
  • human trafficking
  • escape
  • surveilance-video
  • upside down camera shot
  • human cargo
  • ends with statitics
  • injection in arm
  • woman swims in black lingerie
  • woman wears a g string
  • woman wears underwear in public
  • woman wears a bodysuit
  • low budget
  • villainess
  • sex scene
  • sex in a car
  • sex in a swimming pool
  • woman on top sex
  • tied feet
  • one word title
Where to watch

Where to Watch Traffik

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Traffik Cast & Characters

Paula Patton leads the cast as Brea, with William Fichtner as Carl Waynewright and Omar Epps as John. Directed by Deon Taylor; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Traffik Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Traffik 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

38 /100

Traffik Echo Score Breakdown

In its attempt to blend a social message with thriller elements, Traffik falls short due to uneven pacing, inconsistent plotting, and questionable character decisions. Critics and viewers alike note that scenes drag on without sufficient narrative impetus while the film’s well-meaning intent feels undermined by generic genre tropes. Although the lead performance and occasional visual flair offer brief highlights, these moments fail to compensate for the film’s fundamental structural issues. The net result is a thriller whose ambitions outweigh its execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, Traffik displays competent cinematography but uneven direction and editing hinder its visual cohesion. Reviewers highlight Dante Spinotti’s photography as a clear strength, contributing polished imagery amid otherwise lackluster production design. However, extended takes and abrupt genre shifts disrupt the film’s flow and dilute its production values. As a result, the technical elements remain serviceable yet ultimately inconsistent.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    In terms of character and emotion, the film benefits from a commanding lead performance but struggles to develop its supporting roles. Paula Patton’s nuanced portrayal offers authentic emotional weight and credible chemistry in key scenes. Conversely, secondary characters often exhibit implausible motivations and lack meaningful depth, leading to disengagement. Ultimately, the emotional resonance rests heavily on the protagonist, leaving the ensemble underrealized.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, Traffik’s narrative coherence suffers from inconsistent pacing and predictable developments. Critics note that scenes frequently overstay their welcome, undermining suspense and momentum. The plot’s incorporation of multiple genre tangents dilutes focus and diminishes originality, while implausible character decisions further strain credibility. Overall, the storyline remains uneven and lacks the necessary engagement to sustain its ambitions.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers intermittent visual flair but lacks a cohesive audiovisual identity. The cinematography receives praise for its polished imagery and effective framing, yet the soundtrack and sound design remain largely unremarkable. While certain sequences leverage lighting and composition to heighten tension, the overall sensory palette feels uneven and fails to fully immerse the audience. Consequently, the sensory impact is moderate and inconsistent.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    In terms of rewatch factor, Traffik offers limited appeal for subsequent viewings due to its uneven structure and muted thrills. The film’s pacing inconsistencies and generic genre tropes become more pronounced on repeated watches, reducing suspense. Although the lead performance retains some interest on replay, the overall narrative and emotional underpinnings lack sufficient complexity or novelty to warrant multiple viewings. As such, the rewatch value remains low.

Plot

Traffik Plot Summary

What happens in Traffik from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The movie opens with a young woman dancing in a nightclub who is approached by a man, leading to her abrupt abduction and confinement in a trailer.

Next, we meet Brea, a journalist working for the Sacramento Post, who is frustrated to discover that a rival journalist is covering a significant scandal story she has been trying to pitch. When she confronts her boss, Carl, he dismissively tells her that her story is merely a fluff piece.

To celebrate Brea’s birthday, her boyfriend John takes her out to dinner alongside their friends Darren and Malia. Unfortunately, Darren ruin’s John’s thoughtful surprise—a romantic getaway in the mountains—leading to a bathroom conversation where Brea admits she isn’t ready for marriage.

Full summary

The whole story of Traffik, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Traffik Box Office & Budget

Traffik grossed $9.5 million worldwide on a $4 million budget, 2.4 times what it cost. $9.2 million came from the US and Canada and $329,758 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.5M

2.4× its budget

US & Canada
$9.2M
International
$329.8K
Budget
$4M
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Videos

Traffik Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 4 trailers and 2 teasers.

All 6 videos
Traffik Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Trailers
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer (Producers' Cut)
  • Trailer TRAFFIK - Find it on Digital July 10 and on Blu-ray and DVD July 17!
  • Teaser TRAFFIK (2018 Movie) Official TV Spot – "Refuse"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Traffik?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the profession of the protagonist Brea?

Cars

Cars in Traffik

11 cars on screen, including the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle and the Harley-Davidson Sportster.

All 11 cars
  • 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle in Traffik 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Important role
  • Harley-Davidson Sportster in Traffik Harley-Davidson Sportster Important role
  • 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer in Traffik 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Important role
  • Peterbilt 379 in Traffik Peterbilt 379 Minor role
Details

Traffik Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Stranded” and “Traffik - Liberdade Roubada”.

Also known as
  • Stranded
  • Traffik - Liberdade Roubada
  • Red de peligro
  • Traffik - Red de peligro
  • Траффик
  • 트래픽
  • Без изход
  • 假期惊魂
  • 假期驚魂
  • טראפיק
  • Forgalom
  • Traffik - In trappola
+6 more
  • Трафік
  • Cuộc Chiến Sống Còn
  • إتجار بالبشر
  • セックス・トラフィック 悪夢の週末
  • Traffik: Lupta pentru supraviețuire
  • Pavojingas tinklas

Seen Traffik?

FAQ

Traffik FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Traffik, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Traffik?

Traffik runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Traffik released?

Traffik was released on April 20, 2018.

Who directed Traffik?

Traffik was directed by Deon Taylor.

More films by Deon Taylor

Who is in the cast of Traffik?

Traffik stars Paula Patton as Brea, William Fichtner as Carl Waynewright and Omar Epps as John, among 15 credited actors.

Where can I watch Traffik?

In the US, Traffik is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Traffik make at the box office?

Traffik grossed $9.5 million worldwide ($9.2 million domestic, $329,758 international) on a budget of $4 million.

How is Traffik rated?

Traffik has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Traffik have a post-credit scene?

No. Traffik has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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