I watched this intense survival thriller for free on the Roku Channel and my heart is still pounding

Chariot (2013) — (Image credit: Mancat Films)

I’ve always been a fan of low-budget indie movies. There’s something uniquely satisfying about seeing what filmmakers can pull off with minimal resources. When money is tight, creativity often stretches further, and limitations become the fuel for the most inventive storytelling.

What draws me in most is when a small film takes a single, unsettling idea and commits to it fully. High-concept thrillers don’t need massive budgets if the premise is strong and the performances are convincing — sometimes a confined space and a ticking clock are all it takes to generate real tension.

What is 'Chariot' about?

The film opens with seven people slowly waking up on a plane that’s already in flight. Cole (Anthony Montgomery) is among the first to regain consciousness, wandering the aisle in search of answers. He finds several other passengers, all just as confused and disoriented as he is. One man, Ra (David DeLao), panics upon realizing he’s trapped on a plane, leading to a brief scuffle that ends with Cole locking him in the bathroom to calm things down.

CHARIOT Official Trailer - YouTube

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As the group regathers, they search the aircraft and quickly discover something is very wrong. There are no flight attendants, no way to communicate with the cockpit, and when they peer out the windows, all they can see are endless clouds — no land, no city, no sense of where they are. Even worse, no one remembers why they were on the flight in the first place. They begin introducing themselves and sharing the last moments they recall. One passenger, Michael — the Secretary of Transportation — remembers being with his son, but nothing beyond that.

The situation takes a darker turn when someone finds a phone hidden in a seat pocket. Once powered on, it delivers devastating news: Nuclear weapons have destroyed cities across the country. According to the phone, the people on the plane may be the only survivors left.

Genevieve (Michelle Sherrill), who admits to working for the government, steps forward and uses the phone to contact her supervisor, who explains that the passengers were saved as part of an elite contingency program — though frustratingly, there’s no clear reason why they were chosen. Cole points out that he’s just a truck driver. Another passenger insists she’s merely a housewife. The lack of answers only deepens the unease.

Tensions continue to escalate when they learn their intended destination no longer exists — and the pilots are under strict orders not to communicate with the passengers. With time running out and panic mounting, the central question becomes clear: Can they figure out what’s really happening before it’s too late?

Why you should stream 'Chariot'

"Chariot" is a surprisingly effective thriller. Its premise is loosely inspired by the real-life mystery of a Boeing 727 stolen in Angola in 2003 that was never recovered, and the film hints that the passengers may be aboard that very missing aircraft. Government secrets, half-truths, and ominous omissions suggest there’s far more going on than the characters are being told.

Anthony Montgomery carries the film with a grounded, steady performance that naturally positions Cole as the group’s reluctant leader. At the same time, the supporting cast convincingly captures the fear, anger, and disbelief you’d expect from people facing an unthinkable scenario. David DeLao and Michelle Sherrill, in particular, help keep the story moving and the tension high.

One final tip: Don’t stop watching when the movie ends. Stick around through the closing credits. Without giving anything away, a subtle final moment offers an important clue. Missing it may leave you feeling like something was unresolved. Listen closely.

Stream "Chariot" on the Roku Channel

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Nicole Pyles is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She loves movies, especially Lifetime movies, obscure TV movies, and disaster flicks. Her writing has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Mental Floss, WOW! Women on Writing, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and more. When she isn't watching movies, she's spending time with family, reading, and writing short stories. Say hi on Twitter @BeingTheWriter.

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