The Passenger
Stephen King Short Film
The Passenger: A Stephen King Psychological Thriller
Based on the short story "Rest Stop" by legendary author Stephen King, The Passenger is a gripping psychological thriller produced by Tizian Gruner (GRUNERFILMS) and Annegret Weitkämper-Krug (Gretchenfilm). Directed by Alexander Bruckner and written by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tab Murphy (Disney’s Tarzan, Atlantis: The Lost Empire), the film explores the thin line between bystander and hero. The story follows two friends who face a life-or-death crisis at a deserted rest stop in the middle of the night, where a single decision will alter the course of their lives forever.
The Creative Vision: Adapting a Master of Horror: Adapting a Stephen King story requires a delicate balance of atmosphere and tension. As a "Dollar Baby" production – a prestigious program where King grants rising filmmakers the rights to his stories—our goal was to create a visceral, high-stakes environment. We utilized the vast, isolating landscapes of a desert highway to mirror the internal moral conflict of the protagonists. The narrative focuses on the psychological breakdown of a friendship under extreme pressure, utilizing a gritty, cinematic visual style to heighten the sense of impending dread.
Production Excellence and Narrative Depth: Featuring a powerful cast including Ben Dahlhaus, Andrew Garrett, and Gaelle Gillis, The Passenger is a testament to the narrative range of GRUNERFILMS. The production focused on "Character-Driven Suspense," utilizing tight framing and a low-key lighting scheme to emphasize the claustrophobic nature of the restroom setting. This project highlights our ability to manage complex narrative adaptations and collaborate with world-class talent to deliver a film that is as emotionally resonant as it is technically precise. From the shocking conclusion to the meticulous sound design, The Passenger stands as a benchmark for independent thriller production.
IMDB – The Passenger Official Listing
Director // Alexander Bruckner
Producer // Tizian Gruner
Writer // Tab Murphy
Story // Stephen King
Executive Producer // Annegret Weitkämper-Krug
Director of Photography // Grant MacAllister
Editor // Lea Vrabelova
Composer // Lars Deutsch
Set/Costume Designer // Bernadett Skoda
Visual Effects // Raffael Dickreuter
Makeup // Ricki Flores
Colorist // Stuart Ferreyra
Song // "Notes On A Ghost" by Paris Jackson
Cast // Ben Dahlhaus, Andrew Garrett, Gaelle Gillis, Randy Hernandez
Production // GRUNERFILMS; Live Free, Live Film
Awards:
1. Hodu International film festival - (Best Thriller)
2. Hodu International film festival - (Best Director)
3. The Gladiator Film Festival - (Best Thriller)
4. The Gladiator Film Festival - (Best Cinematography)
5. Indo Malaysia Film Festival - (Best Thriller)
6. Indo Malaysia Film Festival - (Best Director)
7. Indo Malaysia Film Festival - (Best Writer)
8. TEKKA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - (Best Thriller)
9. TEKKA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - (Best Director)
10. Top Indie Film Awards - (Best Cinematography)
11. Top Indie Film Awards - (Best Actor)
12. Top Indie Film Awards - (Best Director)
13. Top Indie Film Awards - (Best Short)
14. Top Indie Film Awards - (Best Music)
15. Top Indie Film Awards - (Best Sound)
16. Andromeda Film Festival - (Best Short)
17. Andromeda Film Festival - (Best Director)
18. Malaikandan Independent Film Festival - (Best Thriller)
19. 1st GIFF | Genesis International Film Festival - (Best Cinematography)
20. GIMFA - Gralha International Film Awards - (Best Short)
21. GIMFA - Gralha International Film Awards - (Best Screenplay)
22. GIMFA - Gralha International Film Awards - (Best Sound Design)
23. GIMFA - Gralha International Film Awards - (Best Cinematography)
24. SASEE FILM AWARDS - (Best Thriller)
25. SASEE FILM AWARDS - (Best Director)
26. SASEE FILM AWARDS - (Best Actor)
27. Best Istanbul Film Festival - (Best Thriller)
28. URUVATTI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - (Best Director)
29. URUVATTI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - (Best Actor)
30. Hallucinea Film Festival - (Best Thriller)
31. Boden International Film Festival - (Best Director)
32. Boden International Film Festival - (Best Actor)
33. Best Indie Film Award - (Best Thriller)
34. The Digital Filmfest - (Best Short)
35. Sweden Film Awards - (Best Director)
36. Sweden Film Awards - (Best Cinematography)
37. Europe Film Festival - (Best Cinematography)
38. Genre Celebration Festival - (Best Noir)
39. BIMIFF - (Best Production Design)
40. Cult Movies International Film Festival - (Best Cinematography)
41. Cult Movies International Film Festival - (Best Short)
42. Cult Movies International Film Festival - (Best Director)
43. Cosmo Genetics Film Festival Saint Petersburg - (Best Director)
44. Europe Film Festival - (Best Director)
45. New Cinema - Lisbon Monthly Film Festival - (Best Director)
46. Prestige Film Festival - (Best Director)
47. Prestige Film Festival - (Best Short)
48. Imaginary Mind Film Contest - (Best Thriller)
49. Tagore International Film Festival - (Best Short)
50. Vesuvius International Film Fest - (Best Short)
51. Cut & Clap - Indie Short Fest - (Best Short)52. FLICKFAIR Film Festival - (Best Short)
53. Southeast Regional Film Festival - (Best Thriller)
54. Vegas Movie Awards - (Best Thriller)
55. Varese International Film Festival - (Best Director)
56. Varese International Film Festival - (Best Duo on Screen)
57. Creation International Film Festival - (Best Short)
58. Los Angeles Film Awards - (Best Thriller)
59. Los Angeles Film Awards - (Best Supporting Actress)
60. Screen Power Film Festival - (Best Production Design)
61. Screen Power Film Festival - (Best Short)
62. Screen Power Film Festival - (Best Director)
63. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Sound)
64. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Writer)
65. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Editing)
66. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Supporting)
67. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Casting)
68. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Lead)
69. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Director)
70. BBR Short Film Festival - (Best Short)
71. Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival - (Best Actor)
72. Medusa Film Festival - (Best Short)
73. Genre Celebration Festival - (Best Nori Short)
74. Lit Scares International Horror Festival (Best Director)
75. Lit Scares International Horror Festival (Best Producer)
76. Grass Root International Film Festival (Best Thriller)
77. Festival Internacional de las Artes Cinematográficas de San Cristóbal (Best Short)
78. Shiny Sparkle Independent Online Film Festival (Thriller)
79. Shiny Sparkle Independent Online Film Festival (Best Director)
80. Hollywood Gold Awards (Best Thriller)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
1. Sanctuary International Film Festival - (Best Short)
2. Athens International Art Film Festival - (Best Director)
3. London International Film Festival - (Best Director)
4. Gravedigger Dave's Anthology Festival - (Best Short)