The 2010 film, The Traveler, starring Val Kilmer, has often been misrepresented, largely due to its misleading poster. Featuring Kilmer brandishing a gun, the promotional material incorrectly positions the movie as an action-packed thriller, akin to something like “Assault on Precinct 13.” However, viewers tuning in for gunfights and explosions will find themselves in a different cinematic territory altogether. The Traveler 2010 Movie is, in fact, a supernatural horror film, sharing thematic similarities with movies like “Let Us Prey,” while predating it by several years.
Set on Christmas Eve, seemingly without significant narrative purpose, the story unfolds in a remote, small-town police precinct. A mysterious stranger, played by Val Kilmer, walks into the station and calmly confesses to committing six murders. This enigmatic figure, who identifies himself only as Mr. Nobody, presents an immediate anomaly: he has no fingerprints. Adding to the unsettling atmosphere, several officers within the precinct recognize him as the same drifter they subjected to near-fatal torture a year prior. Their brutal actions were fueled by the suspicion that he was responsible for the kidnapping of Detective Black’s daughter – a crime for which he was never actually proven guilty.
As Mr. Nobody begins to confess to each gruesome murder, a horrifying pattern emerges. Each confession is followed by the actual, violent death of one of the police officers present in the precinct. This chilling cause-and-effect dynamic injects a significant degree of tension into the narrative, particularly in the film’s first half. Director Michael Oblowitz effectively builds suspense and atmosphere, especially during the initial scenes where Kilmer’s Mr. Nobody remains largely silent and enigmatic, punctuated only by an unsettling, whistled tune. The special effects, particularly in depicting the murders, are notably graphic, emphasizing extreme violence and visceral imagery.
However, The Traveler 2010 movie takes a turn in its third act that diminishes much of the preceding suspense. A plot twist is introduced that, for many viewers, undermines the established narrative and feels largely unsatisfying. This twist is followed by what is described as a forced and unconvincing “happy” ending, further detracting from the film’s overall impact. Despite the initial intrigue and atmospheric tension, the final act of The Traveler ultimately falters, leaving a somewhat disappointing aftertaste for those invested in the unfolding mystery. While the premise of the traveler 2010 movie holds originality and the initial execution shows promise, the film’s conclusion prevents it from reaching its full potential as a truly compelling supernatural horror experience.
