Tailgate

Tailgate (Bumperkleef) – When Road Rage Turns Deadly

Tailgate (original Dutch title: Bumperkleef), released more widely in 2022, is a gripping psychological thriller from the Netherlands directed by Lodewijk Crijns. With a runtime of just under 90 minutes, the film transforms a simple act of road rage into a terrifying cat-and-mouse game, presenting an intense and unsettling narrative that explores pride, control, and the consequences of everyday aggression.

The story follows Hans, an impatient and somewhat arrogant father who is driving his wife Diana and their two daughters on a family trip. Hans is the kind of driver who refuses to let anyone “teach him a lesson.” Early in the film, he begins tailgating a white van on the highway, growing increasingly aggressive. When the van pulls off and Hans confronts the driver at a gas station, he brushes off the man’s warnings with typical arrogance. But the driver, Ed, isn’t just any motorist—he’s a cold, calculated enforcer of his own twisted sense of justice.

What begins as a moment of road rage turns into a nightmare, as Ed stalks the family across the highways and countryside. As the film progresses, Ed reveals himself as far more dangerous than Hans could ever have imagined. Wearing a hazmat suit and armed with industrial pesticide, Ed becomes a symbol of sanitized, systematic violence. He believes he’s enforcing order on a chaotic world, punishing those who disrespect rules—especially on the road.

The film builds tension expertly, focusing not only on physical danger but on the psychological unraveling of Hans and his family. Hans, portrayed by Jeroen Spitzenberger, is not a traditional hero. He’s flawed—his pride and anger spark the very conflict that endangers his family. This makes the film more than just a thriller; it becomes a commentary on toxic masculinity and ego.

Willem de Wolf delivers a chilling performance as Ed. Calm, methodical, and eerily polite, he is the perfect embodiment of a quiet menace. His ability to stay composed while committing horrifying acts makes him a deeply disturbing antagonist. Unlike many horror villains, Ed isn’t supernatural or outwardly insane—he’s terrifying because he seems plausible.

The cinematography captures the confined, tense atmosphere inside the family car and contrasts it with the open yet dangerous roads and remote areas of the Dutch countryside. The film’s use of natural light, sharp sound design, and tight editing adds to the sense of claustrophobia and vulnerability.

Tailgate is not a typical slasher or action thriller. Instead, it slowly tightens its grip on the audience, exploring themes of accountability, family dynamics, and fear. It’s a reminder that horror doesn’t always come from monsters or the supernatural—it can stem from everyday encounters gone horribly wrong.

In conclusion, Tailgate is a taut, unnerving thriller that asks uncomfortable questions about pride, control, and the cost of refusing to back down. It’s a film that grips you from the first scene and doesn’t let go until the final frame—one that lingers long after the road has ended.