Aspiring comedian and rideshare driver Emerson (Casey Dillard) is used to getting her fair share of unique riders. But she’s in for the ride of her life when she picks up a mysterious passenger named Roger (Richard Speight Jr ) and finds herself in a race to defeat evil.
Driven may be filed in a horror category, but it’s more campy and fun instead of frightening. It almost feels like a weird mix of Speed meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie, not the TV show).
It may not scare you, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story is simple, a man’s family is cursed with fighting evil beings, and it’s his mission to end the curse.
Driven turns a supernatural plot on its head by bringing an unsuspecting partner along for the ride. The movie may focus on Roger’s mission, but it’s told from Emerson’s point of view. And it’s done effectively by the interesting way the film is shot. The camera rarely leaves the interior of the car, leaving us the audience, feeling as stuck as Emerson does. By doing this, it makes moments more intense and mysterious. It also proves that a good plot with a low budget can lead to brilliant storytelling.
The main characters have a great chemistry with each other, and that helps with the running gags throughout the film. One of my personal favorites is Emerson’s endless supply of herbal supplements in her car.
Driven also puts some heart in the campy horror. Emerson’s character has a fear of failure that keeps her behind the wheel in all aspects of her life. It’s nice to see how her character evolves throughout the film.
The growing friendship between the two is another beautiful thing to watch. By the end of the movie, you kind of wish, there will be a sequel with these two demon-fighting buddies.
In conclusion, Driven is a humorous “horror” flick that will keep you in stitches. It may not be a frightening film, but it is an entertaining ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And its independent charm adds to the movie by finding a creative way to tell the story.
Driven is available now on VOD
Review: Driven
Review
Review Nation Score
Driven is a humorous horror film that will keep you laughing while on the edge of your seat. The low budget adds to the film's charm and provides a creative way to tell a good story.