J.J. Abrams Goes Full Steven Spielberg in the Crime Thriller Officially Streaming for Free
J.J. Abrams co-wrote and co-produced the 2001 crime thriller *Joy Ride*, a road thriller influenced by Steven Spielberg’s 1971 film *Duel*. The film is now streaming for free on Pluto TV, offering new viewers a chance to discover the cult title.
Directed by John Dahl, it stars Paul Walker, Leelee Sobieski and Steve Zahn as friends pursued by a psychopathic trucker after a prank goes wrong. *Joy Ride* earned more than $36 million against a reported $23 million budget and holds a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score; its home-video success led to two direct-to-video sequels without the original cast.
- *Joy Ride* is streaming free on Pluto TV.
- J.J. Abrams co-wrote the 2001 thriller.
- The film grossed over $36 million and spawned two sequels.
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Joy Ride is a 2001 road thriller directed by John Dahl and co-written and co-produced by J.J. Abrams. It follows three friends, played by Paul Walker, Leelee Sobieski and Steve Zahn, who are pursued by a dangerous truck driver after a prank goes wrong.
The film draws on the idea of an ordinary journey turning into a prolonged chase, also central to Steven Spielberg’s 1971 film Duel. Joy Ride made more than $36 million against a reported $23 million budget, and its success on home video led to two sequels with different casts.