Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
Bold Films
FilmDistrict
Marc Platt Productions
Not part of a collection.
There are no clean getaways.
Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he's been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene and her young son, Benicio. When Irene's husband gets out of jail, he enlists Driver's help in a million-dollar heist. The job goes horribly wrong, and Driver must risk his life to protect Irene and Benicio from the vengeful masterminds behind the robbery.
CinemaSerf
May 18, 2024 · via TMDB
If it's got wheels, then Ryan Gosling's nameless character can use it. When he is not doing triple rolls as a movie stunt-man, he is being the freelance getaway driver for criminals who need a reliable man to get them out of trouble. His friend "Shannon" (Bryan Cranston) fancies himself as a bit of a motor sport aficionado and suggests to his wealthy (and pretty crooked) pal "Bernie" (Albert Brooks) that he chip in $300k so they can start a team. Just as that's all getting on track, the driver starts to get the hots for a neighbour "Irene" (Carey Mulligan) and so engineers a meeting with her and her young son. She's not without her own baggage - but he (Oscar Isaac) is incarcerated for the moment and so their relationship burgeons. When he gets out of jail her boyfriend needs help with a petty robbery at a pawn shop. That goes pear-shaped and next he knows he has a corpse, a bag of mob money and just about everyone on his tail. He needs to keep her safe and stay on his toes for quite an exciting and action packed last half hour that sees this meticulous man fighting for survival. It's all about Gosling this film, and he owns the screen. His charismatic effort as the wheels works well throughout and as the thing stealthily gathers pace, he delivers confidently. Mulligan doesn't really feature so often to make that much of a difference, but essentially it's a one-man show and that weaves the threads of greed, corruption and romance entertainingly.
PenetratorGod
Oct 15, 2023 · via TMDB
If you take out the staring and slow motion scenes in the movie, you're left with an hour or less. I liked it in general, but it wasn't as good as it was hyped. It could have been shot at a much faster pace with a different director. Ryan Gosling may be like this, but he looks extremely tense throughout the whole movie. If we write down the dialogues he says in an hour and a half on a piece of paper, it wouldn't even be a page, there are no facial expressions either. That's how anyone can become an actor and act. There is nothing special about the movie except the music. I watched the movie years later just because I loved the intro music so much.
Nathan
May 16, 2023 · via TMDB
Drive is a cinematic triumph that delivers an unforgettable ride from beginning to end. While the storyline may seem simple at first, the film's attention to detail and intricacy of world-building truly sets it apart from the rest. Every character introduced has a connection to the crime world that is slowly pieced together, creating a puzzle that's both engaging and intriguing. This aspect of the film is truly captivating and highlights the excellent writing. What's more, the family elements of the movie really shine. Ryan Gosling delivers an outstanding performance as a protagonist forced to do bad things to survive. However, the connection he forms with the family across the hall is heartwarming, slowly evolving from a romantic interest to a bond of familiarity and care. In the meantime, Oscar Isaac also gives a remarkable performance as a character initially portrayed as off-putting and egotistical, but whose love for his family slowly emerges as the movie progresses. His character's desire to get out of the criminal life and make good on his past mistakes is admirable and heartbreaking. As the story unfolds, the movie takes a dramatic turn, introducing graphic violence and jaw-dropping moments that are genuinely wild. It accelerates to full speed, never letting up, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The movie's unique 80s aesthetic is also a standout, even though it takes place in modern times. It is visually impressive, especially when combined with the superb cinematography. Overall, Drive is a movie that gets so much right and turns a seemingly generic formula into a film that is truly special. Its superb storytelling, memorable characters, intense action, and unique style make it a must-watch for any cinephile. Score: 92% 🏅 Verdict: Excellent
The Movie Mob
Nov 23, 2022 · via TMDB
**Ironically, a movie about getaway drivers and car chases was much too slow for me.** Lots and lots of silent staring. Drive cuts most of its dialogue, creating a mysterious and captivating main character, but its slow pacing that drags despite some fantastic car chases and gore-filled moments of action drained most of the excitement. The lack of dialogue forces actors to give incredible performances with their eyes, body language, and demeanor which the cast nails with impressive skill. The atmosphere and aesthetic of the film are beautiful and unique, enhancing the cinematography and visuals. While the film has plenty of great ideas, solid performances, and gorgeous scenes, the pacing and style kept me checking my watch and getting up to grab snacks while the movie continued in the background. I’m going to assume that this is just a case of “not my kind of movie,” but in the end, not one I can recommend.
RustyBoi
Aug 21, 2020 · via TMDB
One of the best films ever made in my opinion. Nothing about this felt boring like people said. Just don't go in expecting an action movie. 10/10 Masterpiece.
John Chard
Feb 7, 2019 · via TMDB
Fate? Unknown... Drive is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and adapted to screenplay by Hossein Amini from the novel of the same name written by James Sallis. It stars Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman. Music is by Cliff Martinez and cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel. Driver (Gosling) has a day job, he's a Hollywood stunt man, but by night he makes the serious cash as a getaway driver for the criminal fraternity. Into his life comes married next door neighbour Irene (Mulligan) and her little boy Benicio (Kaden Leos), pitching him right into the middle of two wars; one is for his emotional worth, the other with the criminal underworld. Real human being, and a real hero. They cheered at Cannes, it has garnered instant cult classic status as well as gushing critical praise, Drive is arguably the biggest surprise of 2011. Some would debate that it arrived in a year that was dominated by blockbuster brain drains and pretentious parables, meaning it wouldn't take much for something like Drive to find a favourable audience. Yet Drive is a special movie, the surprise being that it delivers a different film to what the plot synopsis suggests. There would have been many disappointed that it didn't turn out to be something akin to The Fast & The Furious 19, but as its reputation grows, one likes to think that many also had their senses tingled unexpectedly by Refn's western done out in 1980s neo noir attire. Yes, at first glance it looks like a simple story given over to style over substance leanings, where the fact that our laconic protagonist is not prone to dialogue expansion, could lend argumentative weight to those potential dissenters only skimming the surface of the picture. But the material is in excellent hands, with Refn, Sigel, Gosling and co, calmly unravelling Amini's stripped down screenplay to reveal a gritty urban fable that's laced with ethereal overtones. A picture where a look means more than any words can express, a subtle holding of hands reveals many layers peeling, and then the serene state of play often gets punctured by bouts of shocking violence, yet always it remains a picture big on intelligence, beating a mighty heart in the process. Propelling the picture forward is the complexity of Gosling's driver character. He has no back story for us to work from, and he gives nothing away outside of the tender bond formed with Irene and child. He is actually one of many purposeful grey areas (or should that be gris areas?) within the plot structure. We learn just enough to be on his side, a noble but flawed hero battling against fate as he fights for the innocent, he be Shane for a modern pot boiling Los Angeles. Helps, too, that he's so cool behind the wheel, where he mines Steve McQueen's effortless charisma. Refn delivers magic moments of car play, from the near ten minute opening getaway extended sequence, to a high speed kill or be killed pursuit, when the action flows it really pumps the adrenalin. Gosling is amazing, instantly iconic, soft voice matching his soft blue eyes, toothpick perched between teeth, it's a testament to his acting ability that the requisite homages to iconic characters of movies past never veers into parody territory. It's with the calm moments that he triumphs most, be it watching TV with the boy Benicio or just gazing intensely into Irene's eyes, Gosling has a magnetic quality of some significance. Mulligan, too, is wonderful, deftly underplaying Irene to work off of Gosling to create heart aching tenderness, their chemistry superb. Isaac does fine work with the ex-con/husband character that is thankfully not stereotypical, Brooks is Colm Meaney like, thriving on simmering badness, while Cranston puts real heart into the role of Driver's garage boss, the closest thing the Driver has to a pal. The only one dimensional character lands in Perlman's court, but Perlman is such an ebullient and watchable life force the film survives the character's oafness. From the opening pink neon credits, accompanied by the synth plink of a retro 80s soundtrack (a soundtrack so memorable it lands in the ears and stays there for days), it's evident that Refn is a man who takes his style serious. Drive is full of classy (yes arty) passages, fluid camera movements, single takes, non central framing of characters, slow motion unfurls and eye dazzling chopper shots of a neon lighted L.A., the director has an eye for the quality required to cloak his story. He of course is aided considerably by his editor Matthew Newman, and Sigel's photography. The former is dealing in seamless precision, the latter a master of shades (a lift sequence is to, ahem, die for) and colour toning delights. Marking this out as a Blu-ray essential. You can name about ten films that Drive has been either likened too or put forward as an influence, and Refn's work here has been touted as an offspring created by Michael Mann, Walter Hill, William Friedkin and Sergio Leone (all viable and all actually high praise indeed). But rest assured, Drive is still fresh and exciting, the perfect movie package. Refn's masterpiece and one of the best films of 2011. 10/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
fuboTV
Philo
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand
Plex
Ryan Gosling
Driver
Carey Mulligan
Irene
Bryan Cranston
Shannon
Albert Brooks
Bernie Rose
Oscar Isaac
Standard
Christina Hendricks
Blanche
Ron Perlman
Nino
Kaden Leos
Benicio
Jeff Wolfe
Tan Suit
James Biberi
Cook
Russ Tamblyn
Doc
Joe Bucaro III
Chauffeur
Tiara Parker
Young Woman
Tim Trella
Hitman #1
Jimmy Hart
Hitman #2
Tina Huang
Waitress
Andy San Dimas
Stripper
John Pyper-Ferguson
Bearded Redneck
Craig Baxley Jr.
Masked Man #1
Kenny Richards
Masked Man #2
Joe Pingue
Assistant Director #1
Chris Muto
Caterer
Cesar Garcia
Waiter
Steven Knoll
Movie Star
Ralph Lawler
Basketball Announcer (voice)
Laurene Landon
Actress (uncredited)
Andrew Constantini
Basketball Fan (uncredited)
Caitlin Litzinger
Stripper (uncredited)
Sarah Adela Tirado
Chola (uncredited)
Claude Stuart
Forgetful Waiter (uncredited)
Newton Thomas Sigel
Director of Photography
Stephanie Wilcox
Creative Consultant
Ardy Brent Carlson
Set Production Assistant
Darrin Prescott
Stunt Coordinator
J. Travis Merendino
Stunt Double
Jeremy Fry
Stunt Double
Mam Smith
Stunt Double
Charlie Estepp
Stunt Driver
Dean Bailey
Stunt Driver
Jody Hart
Stunt Driver
Joe Bucaro III
Stunt Driver
Scotty Richards
Stunt Driver
Craig Baxley Jr.
Stunts
Jimmy Hart
Stunts
Kenny Richards
Stunts
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Thanks
Hossein Amini
Thanks
Hugh Jackman
Thanks
Liv Corfixen
Thanks
Lizzielou Corfixen
Thanks
Lola Corfixen
Thanks
Danny Wynands
Utility Stunts
Larry Rippenkroeger
Utility Stunts
Michael Runyard
Utility Stunts
R.A. Rondell
Utility Stunts
Nicolas Winding Refn
Director
Darrin Prescott
Second Unit Director
Tom Poole
Colorist
Matthew Newman
Editor
Joe Cappelletti
ADR Voice Casting
David Lancaster
Executive Producer
Gary Michael Walters
Executive Producer
Peter Schlessel
Executive Producer
Gigi Pritzker
Producer
Marc Platt
Producer
Joe Cappelletti
ADR & Dubbing
Mark DeSimone
ADR Mixer
Mac Quayle
Music Programmer
Cliff Martinez
Original Music Composer
David Grellier
Songs
Lon Bender
Sound Designer
Kris Chevannes
Sound Recordist
Lon Bender
Sound Supervisor
Hossein Amini
Screenplay
Jun 17, 2011
Los Angeles Film Festival
Sep 16, 2011
© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.
Versus
Sign in to play →
Stripper Wives
1999
Sally's Beauty Spot
1990
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
Versus
Sign in to play →
Stripper Wives
1999
Sally's Beauty Spot
1990
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.