Riding the Bullet is a 2004 horror/thriller movie, directed by Mick Garris. It is an adaptation of a Stephen King novel of the same name. The movie, which received a limited theatrical release, wasn't particularly successful in theatres.

Set in 1969, Alan Parker (Jackson) is a young artist, studying at the University of Maine. He becomes obsessed with death, and believing he is losing his girlfriend, Jessica (Christensen), he tries to commit suicide on his birthday. His friends manage to stop him, and he eventually recovers and decides to go with them to a John Lennon concert. Before he leaves, however, he receives news that his mother, Jean (Hersey), has had a stroke and is near death. Alan decides to hitchhike, in an attempt to reach the hospital before his only relative dies.

After getting rides from increasingly unusual people, He is picked up by George Staub (Arquette). Staub turns out to be dead, and is a form of Grim Reaper, who collects souls. Staub is omniscient in his knowledge of Alan's life, and Alan has to make a decision which will determine whether he or his mother dies.

Tagline: The dead travel fast