kalifornia is a 1993 american road thriller film directed by dominic sena, in his directorial debut. it stars brad pitt, juliette lewis, david duchovny, and michelle forbes. the film tells the story of a journalist (duchovny) and his photographer girlfriend (forbes) traveling cross-country to research serial killings, who unwittingly carpool with a psychopath (pitt) and his childlike girlfriend (lewis).