We’ve all been there. You’re late for an important occasion, and the person in front of you is driving as slowly as possible. You can feel your anxiety climbing as you search for a way to get around them. You may even find yourself inching up close to them to send the message, “Get a move on!” It’s easy to forget how dangerous it is to operate a motor vehicle. Now, imagine that the person you’re tailing is a homicidal maniac just begging for an excuse to teach you a fatal lesson. This is the plot of the new thriller Tailgate, from writer/director Lodewijk Crijns, an intense thriller that’s disturbingly relatable.
Tailgate (or Bumperkleef, as it’s known in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it was made and originally released) tells the story of a family on their way to their paternal grandparents’ house for dinner. They scramble to leave in a timely manner, but unfortunately find themselves behind the ball. Father, Hans (Jeroen Spitzenberger) resorts to driving aggressively, catching the attention of a vengeful motorist (creepily played by Willem de Wolf) who then follows the family. What happens next is a taut thriller that grips viewers and doesn’t let up.
This film is tense, stressful, and surprisingly well-crafted. The driving sequences, in particular, are very well-handled. I found myself gritting my teeth and clutching my armrests, watching the movie unfold. Road rage is a very real thing, and this film highlights the very normal way that situations like this transpire.
At times, as is common with films of this nature, the decision-making by some characters feels a tad unrealistic, but overall, it’s scary how plausible the events in Bumperkleef are. Along with the high-octane atmosphere, Tailgate also tastefully incorporates some poignant subtext on parenting, self-pride, and the true meaning of good and evil.
I was sometimes reminded of a similar film, 2001’s Joy Ride. Still, I’d argue that Tailgate one-ups Joy Ride in many ways, most notably it’s believability and portrayal of the dangerous nature of driving confrontations. Fans of thrillers that wrap the audience up in their fraught drama need to give this film a look.
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Tailgate is a one-part-themed thriller and a one-part slasher movie. The antagonist feels like something from the world of slasher horror, a chemical tankard-toting madman in a hazmat suit, but the script is so smartly put together that it is more akin to drama. Because of the way it straddles genres and is so relatable in its set-up, Tailgate would play well across a wide audience.
That said, this is a Dutch-subtitled film, so some viewers who would typically enjoy this movie may sadly not give it a deserved spin. I truly hope this isn’t the case.
Bumperkleef is a powerhouse of a thriller. It’s an absolutely intense viewing experience. The performances are stellar, the plot is simple and effective, and the subtext is identifiable, but not glaring. It’s my hope that this film finds a large audience, because I would love to see more thrilling stories from Crijns and company. One thing’s for sure, I will think twice the next time I lose my temper behind the wheel.
, from Dutch director Lodewijk Crijns, is an intense thriller about the dangers of road rage. Check out our review here!){kind=link}