Detour (1945)

Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer. The story follows Al Roberts, a down-on-his-luck pianist hitchhiking from New York to Los Angeles to reunite with his girlfriend. His luck takes a dark turn when he accepts a ride from a stranger who dies suddenly, leaving Al in a panic. Fearing he'll be accused of murder, Al assumes the dead man's identity, leading him into a web of fate and misfortune.