Penny Dreadful

A young woman confronts what she thinks is her darkest fear -- but ends up fighting a terror even more primal in this Stephen King-like thriller. Penny (Rachel Miner) has a phobia of cars after surviving an accident that killed her parents. Her therapist, Orianna (Mimi Rogers), takes her on a long drive through secluded woods in an attempt to cure her phobia. On the way, they run over a hitchhiker. Thankfully, the person lives, and a guilt-ridden Orianna agrees to give him a ride. Penny disapproves but gets overruled, and the trusting therapist even mentions their destination to the stranger. They drop him off at an abandoned camp, and then the car breaks down. Orianna goes to get help and leaves Penny alone, which is when the stranger turns back up -- as a homicidal maniac.

Penny takes refuge in the car, bringing an edge of claustrophobic dread to the film. Several times, help seems to arrive in the form of clueless passers-by, with a notable cameo from horror-film legend Michael Berryman. Tension mounts as the viewer wonders if they'll render aid or become so enamored with their sexual exploits that they don't notice the lurking killer.

Meanwhile, Orianna is oblivious to all this as she seeks a mechanic in the nearby town. The latter part of the movie shows her going through a tremendous change as she fights a battle of her own. This film features many twists and turns. Besides the element of the ruthless killer, Penny also grapples with her inner demons as the confines of the car send her into near hysterics. "Penny Dreadful" is part slasher-flick, part psychological thriller, and it features a liberal dose of sexiness and a story reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock.