Sean (Kerr Smith) has one week to get from Los Angeles to Florida to deliver a vintage Mercedes, attend his sister's wedding and get back home, or he will lose his job. He's given only one rule, and a sensible one at that: "Don't pick up any hitchhikers!" He, of course, does not heed the warning. His new traveling partner Nick (Bendan Fehr) sets in motion his ulterior motive for the ride when they happen upon a recently-bit victim who has a telekinetic link with her vampiric assailant. Nick hopes that her host is the same one that gave him a deadly blood disease that if not properly medicated will cause him to transform into a Forsaken. The only cure is to kill the host on hallowed ground. As fate rears its ugly head, their agendas cross when their new guest accidentally bites Sean. Now it is a race against time as the trio plays a deadly game of cat and mouse against a band of Forsaken.

   This film goes to great lengths not to call the nocturnal creatures vampires. They are the cursed with a rare disease that infects the body's blood supply. In the film, according to a medieval legend, Abaddon, an angel of hell, offered eternal life to a few survivors of a religious crusade in the 11th century. Unbeknownst to those who accepted was a hidden clause in the contract that made them have an unquenchable thirst for human blood. Now there are only four left--two in the United States, one in Africa and the other in Europe.

   The only true forsaken are the disillusioned patrons seeking a good vampire movie. There are no bats, flying bodies or stakes driven through anyone's heart. The second-rate vampire slayer antics are nothing compared to those of the popular television show of a similar theme. The rapid use of choppy visuals intended to create a cutting-edge intensity instead conveys a jarring disorder, save for the carefree Forsaken who nonchalantly stroll around during the mayhem. It is very unlikely that anybody will want to hitch a ride for a sequel.    Starring Kerr Smith, Brendan Fehr, Izabella Miko, Jonathon Schaech and Phina Ooview. Directed and written by J.S. Cardone. Produced by Carol Kottenbrook and Scott Einbinder. A Screen Gems release. Horror. Rated R for strong violence/gore, language and sexuality. Running time: 91 min.