The kicker is that Joy Ride is funny, too. In fact, it would be a superbly frightening entertainment if not for the way Dahl fixates, disturbingly, on sadistic details.
80
Washington PostStephen Hunter
Washington PostStephen Hunter
In noir, everybody's guilty, and that's one of the pleasures of Joy Ride. The three youngsters aren't exactly innocent.
75
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Joy Ride is also surprisingly funny, thanks mostly to Zahn.
75
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
There's good pulp and bad pulp, and for most of its duration, Joy Ride is quality stuff.
75
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Boston GlobeJay Carr
It's a snazzy, smartly made, and even hip little scarefest. As a jump-start to Halloween, it's all you could hope for.
75
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
Joy Ride is plenty spooky but there's also plenty of comic relief -- mostly from the perennially goofy Zahn.
Manages to be both astoundingly derivative and reasonably entertaining at the same time.
60
Film ThreatHeather Wadowski
Film ThreatHeather Wadowski
Despite its few flaws, Joy Ride does take viewers on one hell of a ride. It's one of those rare films that manages to take an overused plot and breathe some sort of creativity into it.