Driven (1998) User Reviews

A Good Thriller/Horror Movie

[ladymidath · 6/10 · 18 January 2024]

It is easy to see that this was done on a small budget but it still delivers. With an excellent cast, this movie should not work. Nit somehow does. The story, a writer finishes a novel only to find that someone or something is copying the murders from his book.

This is a great premise, although not a new one. But this brings real suspense right until the end.

You can see where they did have to cut corners due to a tight budget, the photography looks like it was shot on video and the sound was a bit echo-y at times. But the music and acting more than made up for it.

The Brits seem to nr able to make some excellent smaller budget movies and this is one to watch.

Extremely low rent British horror/serial killer hybrid

[Leofwine_draca · 3/10 · 9 October 2015]

WRITTEN IN BLOOD (original title DRIVEN) is an extremely cheap British horror effort of the late 1990s that looks like it was shot on video. It tells a meandering tale about a big time horror author who's surrounded by murders which happen just like in his book. The police suspect him, but is there a more sinister force responsible?

This is one of those films which seems to have been forgotten immediately upon release and it's easy to see why. WRITTEN IN BLOOD is an extremely cheap and derivative movie, made by the unknown Dandelion Films. As an independent production it's far too cheap to portray any of the various set-pieces convincingly so what we're left with is a pantomime populated by dodgy actors. If you're looking for horror content then you won't find much here, with a few poorly-shot murders attempting to fulfil the horror quota.

Interestingly, IMDb doesn't list a scriptwriter for the film, so perhaps the story was made up as they went along. Perhaps the only thing this film has going for it are appearances from a number of faces familiar from British TV. Patrick Robinson (CASUALTY's Ash) is here as a murder victim, as is Gary Beadle (EASTENDERS) as a detective. Sharon Small later found TV success in MISTRESSES, and Paul Copley has been in about a million things. Francis Magee hams it up a treat as the villain of the piece, but is nowadays known for his appearances in the likes of GAME OF THRONES, and of course there's a minor role for Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley. None of these cast members are reasons to watch, of course.

Low key apocalyptic horror

[gnok2002 · 4/10 · 2 August 2015]

This fairly obscure UK horror showed on Talking Pictures which has shown a lot of obscure UK films since launching a few months ago. The actual 2 lead players are, Grant Masters as the author, and Sharon Small as his psychiatrist girlfriend. I played it safe ticking the spoiler box, but I don't think reading my review will ruin the film for you, so here it is.... A successful horror author's brother is killed by an unknown assailant, he feels compelled to write a new horror tale, about a slayer who will kill 7 victims to represent the 7 virtues, when the last victim is killed all hope is lost. The book is a big success is a society that is falling into chaos, then someone or something starts to enact the bleak details of the book… it's watchable, but a bit dull.

An underground masterpiece!

[sophieec-73585 · 9/10 · 4 October 2023]

Written in Blood blew me away! Despite the small budget, the creators of this film kept suspense the entire way through. The acting was brilliant; I felt as if I was seeing professional actors' work before they hit the big time! Many recognisable faces as well.

It's a shame that you really have to dig around for films like this. The story was great and the characters were well-written, multi-faceted and not just one-dimensional.

Independent, low-budget cinema always gets given a bad rep when compared to Hollywood-level movies. Written in Blood is a great example of British indies still getting it right, despite monetary limits.

Very entertaining thriller even with the low budget

[paul-74775 · 8/10 · 28 September 2023]

Low budget movies have always been given a hard time. They are constantly slated when they should be commended. This movie is no exception to that rule. The cinematography is well thought out and has some excellent movement combined with some very good editing they convey the story well. The story is well written and takes the viewer on an exciting supernatural journey anyone that remembers "Tales of the unexpected" or the wonderful "Hammer house of horror" would be glad to travel. Sound effects may be a little over the top in places but not enough to spoil the enjoyment of the movie in any way. The lack of budget is unfortunate but I for one found the film to be worth a watch and glad I did.

"Written In Blood" Wow what a film great concept with deliverance

[simonandtrishafowler · 10/10 · 25 November 2023]

From the get go you are transported into the world of the writer, with great acting and lighting in all scenes with a solid written script and roles played out by the actors,you are eagely glued to your seat all the way through the film while the script unfolds,scene after scene you are visualy taken to intense situations,nightmares,loss and personal struggles, the cast are so polished the acting is top draw, the score that accompanies the film is also of high quality from haunting notes to beautiful pano passages, Simon Is an incredible filmmaker and visual pioneer of his craft check out simon's other films you will not be disappointed,

Outstanding Thriller!

[anthonyn-49831 · 9/10 · 29 September 2023]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Totally gripping and non stop tension. Leaves you right up to the end guessing what's really going on! The characters drew you in really quickly and all of the acting was very well done. It is full of tension, drama, mystery, a touch of other-worldly-ness and light horror. A truly well written, paced and presented psychological thriller. Loved it! Were they still using dot matrix printers in 1998? :-)

This isn't my usual go to genre and I really wasn't sure how I'd enjoy this but it truly was gripping and never a dull moment in the mind games and narrative.

The filming style and colour has a certain '' hammer horror' charm to it which personally I found appealing.

Well worth a watch!