The story of He Went That Way
He Went That Way takes you back to 1964 and drops you into a deceptively ordinary moment: a hitchhiker boards a car on Route 66. Seems simple enough. But this isn't just any hitchhiker—it's Bobby Falls, a 19-year-old serial killer with a disarming smile, and he's climbing into the vehicle of Jim Goodwin, a celebrity animal handler traveling with his most prized possession: Spanky, a chimpanzee who's the star of a television show. What unfolds over three days is a cat-and-mouse game wrapped in the veneer of a road trip, where one man doesn't know who he's sitting next to, and the other is calculating his next move. The film doesn't rely on jump scares or gore to unsettle you—it's the proximity, the small talk, the impossibility of reading what's really happening in that car that makes it work.
Behind the making of He Went That Way
He Went That Way marks the directorial debut of Jeffrey Darling, who drew inspiration from a real criminal case involving serial killer Larry Ranes and animal trainer Dave Pitts. The film stars Jacob Elordi as Bobby Falls and Zachary Quinto as Jim Goodwin, two actors with strong pedigrees in prestige television and film. Elordi's breakout came through HBO's Euphoria, where he played the volatile Nate Jacobs; Quinto, meanwhile, has built a career playing complex, often unsettling characters across American Horror Story, Condor, and the Star Trek reboot films. The production came together through Tea Shop & Film Company, Head Gear Films, and Mister Smith Entertainment—a coalition of independent producers betting on Darling's debut vision. Released in 2024, the film runs 96 minutes, a lean runtime that keeps the tension wound tight without overstaying its welcome. While the film didn't become a mainstream box-office juggernaut, it found an audience in the streaming ecosystem, where genre-savvy viewers tend to discover smaller, character-driven thrillers that might otherwise slip past theatrical release.
What makes He Went That Way stand out
What's striking about He Went That Way is how it refuses to sensationalize its subject matter. The film doesn't need to—the premise is inherently disturbing. Instead, Darling leans into the psychological texture of the encounter, letting the discomfort build through dialogue and reaction rather than spectacle. Elordi's performance walks a razor's edge; he's charming in a way that feels genuinely unsettling, the kind of charisma that makes you understand how predators operate in plain sight. Quinto, by contrast, brings a grounded, almost mundane quality to Goodwin—he's just a guy doing his job, traveling with his chimp, unaware of the danger inches away. That asymmetry is the film's real engine. I keep coming back to how the film treats Spanky, the chimpanzee, as more than just a plot device. There's something darkly comic about the animal being the most innocent presence in the car, a living reminder of the stakes and the absurdity of the situation simultaneously. The IMDb rating of 5.5/10 suggests the film didn't land universally—some viewers likely wanted more conventional thrills, others may have found the slow-burn approach frustrating—but that middling score often signals a film that's trying something different, something that doesn't fit neatly into genre expectations. The craft on display here is deliberate and measured, which won't appeal to everyone but rewards patient viewers.
Where to stream He Went That Way online
He Went That Way is available on major OTT services, and Movie OTT tracks its current streaming availability across platforms in real time. Depending on your region and subscription status, you'll find it on services like Netflix, Prime Video, and other major streamers—the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page shows exactly where it's streaming right now. Since streaming rights shift frequently, Movie OTT keeps the availability data updated so you don't waste time searching. The film's lean 96-minute runtime makes it perfect for a single sitting, whether you're catching it on a tablet during a commute or settling in for an evening at home.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is He Went That Way based on a true story?
Yes. The film is inspired by the real-life encounter between serial killer Larry Ranes and animal trainer Dave Pitts in 1964. While the film takes creative liberties with dialogue and specific details, the core premise—a killer hitching a ride with an unsuspecting traveler—is rooted in actual events.
Q: Who directed He Went That Way?
Jeffrey Darling directed the film in his feature directorial debut. He brought a restrained, psychological approach to the material, prioritizing tension and character over spectacle.
Q: What are the main genres of He Went That Way?
The film blends thriller, crime, and drama. It's a psychological thriller at heart, more interested in the cat-and-mouse dynamic between its two leads than in action or violence.
Q: How long is He Went That Way?
The film runs 96 minutes, a tight runtime that keeps the three-day road trip moving without excess. There's no fat on this one.
Q: Where can I watch He Went That Way?
He Went That Way streams on major OTT platforms. Check the "Where to Watch" widget on this page or visit Movie OTT for current availability in your region, as streaming rights vary by location and change frequently.
Final thoughts on He Went That Way
He Went That Way isn't a feel-good film, and it won't give you easy answers or neat resolutions. That's partly the point. Darling's debut asks you to sit in discomfort, to watch two men trapped in a car together and wonder what's really happening beneath the surface. If you're drawn to psychological thrillers that prioritize character and tension over spectacle—if you can handle ambiguity and slow-burn dread—this one's worth your time. It won't be for everyone, but that's what makes it worth seeking out.
