Driven (I) (2019) User Reviews

Not your average horror comedy...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 17 June 2020]

Initially, I must say that I didn't have much of any expectations for this 2019 movie titled "Driven" from writer Casey Dillard and director Glenn Payne.

But it was a movie that I hadn't seen already, and it is listed as a horror comedy here on IMDb, so of course I found the time to sit down and watch the movie.

While the movie is fairly limited, I mean in terms of the majority of the movie taking place around the vehicle that Emerson drives, it actually turned out to be rather enjoyable. This was mostly due to a rather interesting script from writer Casey Dillard, and some really nice acting by the two leads - that being Casey Dillard and Richard Speight Jr..

The horror aspect to the movie is more of a backdrop to help cement the storyline, so you shouldn't expect a grand masterpiece of horror cinema here. In fact, there was absolutely nothing scary about the movie, nor were there any jump scares.

The comedy is semi-subtle, but it works quite well. And I must say that things like broken talismans, spells gone awry, turd spoons and car air fresheners did help to add to the storyline.

"Driven" is not your average movie, and I think it might not land equally well with just everyone in the audience. I did enjoy it, however, and I am rating it a six out of ten stars.

Okay time killer

[mvike · 4/10 · 19 September 2020]

I didn't hate this at all, but I don't get the overwhelming love for it. Is it's scary? No. Is it laugh out loud funny? No. But it's "fun".

It could easily be a TV show on something like CW. It's that kinda goofyness...not bad...but hard to see it as much of anything with substance.

The humor is very slap stick, "he's right behind me isn't he?" style. It's a bit too silly though.

It's VERY rare you'll find a HORROR/COMEDY that really truly nails it, such as Evil Dead2 or Tucker & Dale Vs Evil...and sadly, this film will be lost among the 50+ mid budget horror comedies every year. It'll be in the $1 bin within a few years.

However, that doesn't make it bad. It does it's job JUUUUST well enough to pass. The acting is not very good to be honest, but it JUST keeps above the cringe factor. So I'd give the acting a C+ the story is as basic as it gets, any 7th grader could write it...but again...it's not trying to take itself seriously.

Want a feel good, not very scary, good time killer horror comedy? This should work just fine.

Don't fall for the fake votes

[Call-Me-Mr-Smith · 1/10 · 7 October 2020]

This is another of the independent "gems", being upvoted by the "family and friends". Don't bother watching, this is an amateurish attempt at filmmaking. Acting is the least objectionable part of it, and it's not that good, so you can appreciate how fares the rest.

Snoozefest

[psychicjay-73405 · 3/10 · 11 October 2020]

If you want to watch a movie solely about a woman driving a rando guy around while arguing, this is the movie for you. Waste of time.

Low budget, no horror, barely any comedy, 2 stars 4 spoon

[joiningjt · 2/10 · 12 October 2020]

Obviously a lot of friends of the people who made this film rated it ......there is no way this movie gets a 10...... IMPOSSIBLE!! Has nothing that deserves a 10.... nothing!! The dialogue is ok, the acting below average and there was no cinematography to rate it's all filmed in a car and not filmed that well. A couple of ok jokes but it's a home made camcorder movie with amateur actors.

DRIVEN is an Indie Genre Gem

[justincharlesharlan · 7/10 · 10 July 2019]

Emerson (Casey Dillard) is a stand up comic who drives for Uber in a borrowed car. One crazy night, she picks up a strange man named Roger (Richard Speight, Independence Day/Band of Brothers). Soon, Emerson finds out more about the crazy man's mission and can't help but do her best to help. From there, the insanity begins...

A truly unique gem of a film, it clocks in as a brisk and perfectly timed 89 minutes. While I wouldn't mind spending more time with some of the characters here, it feels like the story is told well in its runtime. If any longer, the film could suffer from having large lulls or the dreaded middle third drag. Instead, it flows well from start to finish.

While clearly made on a modest budget, the film looks pretty damn good. The lighting works, the shots are framed well, and the films simply looks and feels crisp. Indie films with a great look to them always feel impressive, especially when they - like this one - actually look better than many more expensive studio films.

While Speight may be the only super recognizable face, the cast is fantastic, with he and Dillard really shining at the forefront. When you combine their performances with a strong script, great pacing, and that fantastic look of the scenes, you get a truly unique and worthwhile experience. Genre film fans will truly enjoy this one. Besides, in what other film will you ever get the chance to encounter a recurring joke about a "turd spoon"?

• Justin Harlan aka thepaintedman

Okayish..

[EvanoOruvan · 5/10 · 14 August 2020]

I saw couple of reviews that were praising this movie like anything. But i didn't find such excitement while watching this. I understand that such movies have mostly talking for most part. However, even the talking was just okayish and so great as some reviews depict. Watch it once.

Throw a dog a bone.

[pacvik · 5/10 · 6 October 2020]

Think horror here is imagined by conjuring from dialogue. Waiting for some visual action, the sandman nearly took me which was more horrifying than the movie at that point. I was really trying to keep up but had to retire due to it. Believe paul_haakonsen's 17 June 2020 review is spot on. I wasn't as generous since it'll probably be a take it or leave it situation while viewing off the top for most. Not my cup of tea.

Buckle Up!

[bikilathewarrior · 8/10 · 25 December 2020]

I've always enjoyed comedy horror films (Rocky Horror, Beatle Juice are some of my faves), so this film interested me, although I wasn't sure what to expect. Another genre I would add is suspense as many of the scenes methodically build to a climatic crescendos. Some viewers may feel a little claustrophobic inside the female protagonist's car, but this was for me part of the film's appeal: you feel like you're actually in the vehicle, sharing the two leads' experiences, reluctant to leave the secure confines of the car because of the evil that may be lurking outside. Both leads were convincing in their roles although I was initially somewhat annoyed by the acrimony between them. I eventually warmed up to them and even found myself empathizing and become emotionally invested as each began to lower their defenses and work as a team. I don't want to spoil the ending, so I will close by saying that if you watch this film, buckle up because it's going to be a wild and crazy ride!

not that WOW!

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 16 June 2020]

But not so bad either. its the story about the female uber or somewhat driver that gets a male customer in her car at her night shift. its a weird man with weird wishes, and the ride becomes a zoombiolytic odysee between heaven and hell, real life and fantasy, displaying peoples inner demons and angst in a peculliar way.

its a small cast, in and around the car location production. the angles of filmatographic possibilities are used excuisitly well, and the sound work are good.. the script is voloptuos and rich on gramatical issues, mustve been like the encyclopedia britanica or likewise on size and volume, because the actors talks extremely much, and that remains the crossroad wether you like this flick or not.

i think the main actors does a great job, though the plot development makes more questions than answers, and the end could have been more resolving than it is.. of all the driver movies ive seen this happens to hang on the average branch. so oil your little earbones for a tirade of vocal acting, or should you have tinnitus like me the grumpy old man or your wife using the kitchen fan in the background, see to shut it off. either way, its a recommend.

Fighting demons in a Honda

[richardwworkman · 5/10 · 21 February 2021]

This is an entertaining and humorous tale of a taxi driver who picks up an unusual customer.

They take a trip around town in a strange battle with the forces of darkness, who will prevail, the servants of darkness, or the Honda driver?

Loads of unduly harsh reviews on here for this, the low budget doesn't really subtract from an entertaining script.

There really isn't much horror and the comedy is pretty light but the characters are likeable enough and it's a decent plot.

Not a film for the hardcore horror fans but a decent enough watch nonetheless.

Once again people, get the hell over yourselves.

Meh!

[iamtherobotman · 4/10 · 26 August 2022]

The premise is decent. The execution, not so.

This seems to be typical of a number of films made during Covid. Minimal cast, minimal locations. It's not a negative per se, and in some cases it could be seen as a positive. This isn't a bad film either, but the script does feel forced, and in particular the 'comedy' aspects.

The acting wasn't too bad, though, for me, the driver was pretty awful. This is a film which is worth a watch, it's not a disaster, and does have a fair enough storyline. Just don't expect too much from it.

Loved it!

[thetrickstergurl · 5/10 · 23 January 2021]

I really loved this movie! Reminds me of supernatural. Wished the characters weren't in the car the entire time. Would have loved to see alot more with them. But it was really good in my opinion. Richard is always an amazing actor and he really deserves recognition!

Better than expected

[jfost75 · 7/10 · 13 October 2020]

I saw all the positive reviews for this movie and decided to give it a shot. At first glance, it appeared to be a poorly acted, very low low budget horror movie bit as it went on, I began to realize that it was intended to be ironically bad. The main character is a shared ride driver (with a name straight from a bad script) who picks up a demon hunter (Richard Speight Jr. From Supernatural) who has one night in town to vanquish several demons summoned by his great grandfather. At first, the main character comes off like a terrible actor (basically Whitney Cummings) and I seriously questioned abandoning the film...but after Speight entered the film, things seemed to improve. I feel like Speight's comic delivery helped to raise the quality of the acting in the scene. Although I can't explain the shoulder-touching scene...

Funny, charming, thriller.

[kenmoring · 8/10 · 18 November 2020]

Its all about the dialogue. Well written, decent plot about an amateur comedian who "ubers" at night. Picks up a demon hunter and the quest begins. Casey Dillard wrote this and was the main actress. I will look for more of her work in the future. The reviews are a mixed bag on here. If you like entertaining campy movies you'll enjoy. If you want to watch blood and guts, boobs and buns, depravity minded comedy you'll be disappointed and should consider therapy.

Lightweight Horror Comedy

[Foutainoflife · 6/10 · 19 July 2020]

A driver has a strange night after picking up an eccentric, nervous passenger on a supernatural mission.

Not a bad flick. Decided to watch this after spotting Richard Speight, Jr as one of the main characters. I loved his portrayal as "The Trickster" in Supernatural and wanted to see how he'd do with a larger role. He gave a decent performance here.

I had a few issues with the film. It was a bit vague when it came to explaining who or what the entities were, the pace was a bit on the slow side and there wasn't a good sense that what you were watching was horror. I'm a horror buff though so I could be a bit desensitized.

Overall it was a decent film. A little quirky with a splash of supernatural.

z movie

[doommacari · 6/10 · 19 June 2020]

No budget i guess for this movie but it's good fun

Can't Watch Just Once!

[datajana-24705 · 10/10 · 18 June 2020]

I saw this at a screening, and was disappointed that it wasn't longer because it was THAT good! It's the sort of movie you can watch on repeat. The sort of movie you love to watch with a big bowl of freshly popped popcorn. The sort of movie you like to watch with friends when you feel like comedy and scary times.

The writer, director, and actors brought their A-game in Driven. I left the screening with my friend excited over the movie, and they felt the same. We talked about it for days, and will watch my dvd over and over and over...

Fun Movie

[rtstuart · 7/10 · 27 October 2020]

I really enjoyed the style of this movie. It played a little more like a long tv show than an intense movie. I really enjoyed the witty dialogue and quirky storyline. Not a typical scary, supernatural movie. I recommend giving it a try.

You've entered the Twilight Zone . . . via a ride share

[rdfranciscritic · 7/10 · 20 January 2023]

I first watched the works of writer-director Glenn Payne (lead actress Casey Dillard pens, here) by way of this film, which came to B&S About Movies as a P. R. screener. That official critic review was assigned to another writer. I did, however, officially review Payne's next-best distributed streamer to date: Killer Concept (2021). I just stumbled into Driven, once again, on my Smart TV: I decided to watch it again and, finally, give my own take on the film.

As with Payne, Dilllard (who wrote and stars in Killer Concept with director Payne) has written over a dozen shorts. As is the case with indies: you have to write what you know, write around what's available to you, and keep the story contained so as to maximize the budget available. So, I have this feeling Dillard has Uber'd between the writing gigs to pay the bills; heck, she probably wrote Driven on a lap top between the stop lights!

As you can tell by the numerous user and critic reviews, Driven, deservingly, got around the marketplace. The streaming enticement, here, is the always welcomed, familiar face of Richard Speight from TV's Supernatural. So, yes, it pays to have a familiar name on that theatrical one-sheet. It is sad to say, but if an unknown-yet-capable Mississippi actor (where this was shot) had been cast instead, many wouldn't have streamed this budget-smart film.

Dillard's Emerson Graham, instead of being a struggling writer, is a struggling comedienne (which I believe she pursues in real life; again: write what you know) dealing with a romantic break up. So, as with Travis Bickle before her: her life sucks and with zero motivation, she ferries backseat passengers to make coin. Only, on this night, her problems get worse: she picks up Roger, on the run from a demonic curse and his quest to save the world from it.

I see other reviewers drop Sam Raimi. Uh, yeah, there's a pinch of Evil Dead, here (even on a smaller budget than Sam's flick). So, instead of a cabin, we're trapped in a cab.

The on-the-budget effects are solid, Dillard's proved herself to me with Killer Concept, and Payne, as well, in the director's seat going back to Earthrise (2014), so what's not to like? They're self-financed indie filmmakers who need to write and need to act, so they're making their way, creating stories. Hopefully, along the way, team Payne-Dillard can secure the services of the oft-working Eric Roberts or Tom Sizemore -- both who are very cool in their quick-to-help indie guys like Payne and Dillard get their films distributed -- and inspire the masses to stream their worthy efforts.

If Driven is an example of what they can do with lawn money and couch cushion change, then what they can accomplish with an official production company-studio shingle's backing will certainly be impressive.

Hire a car from the Twilight Zone

[cobrainey · 8/10 · 5 December 2020]

"Driven" is a fun little romp of a thriller, harkening back to the days of Rod Serling. Saw it last night on Amazon, and have kudos to the cast & crew for creating a watchable film. Close-up cinematography is very well done, lighting & sound is solid. Story seemed to drag a bit in the multiple driving dialogue scenes between Speight and Dillard, but recovered well to keep us entertained. Interesting concept, in this day & age of Uber.

Fun movie with great acting and lots of twists

[juli_monroe · 9/10 · 5 March 2019]

A thoroughly enjoyable movie. Good writing. Great acting. Fantastic directing. Shooting an entire movie from the inside of a car is a challenge, and they pulled it off. Yes, it's an indie movie and was shot on a budget, but the final product looks like it was done by a much larger production company.

While Richard Speight Jr. is wonderful, as always, Casey Dillard and her writing and acting elevated this movie to something memorable. Both of them have spot on comedic timing which was a joy to watch. Several running gags were just plain hilarious.

It's just a fun movie which will make you laugh, jump once or twice and maybe even tear up a few times.

If you can make it to a festival where it's being shown, do so. Otherwise, buy/stream/rent/whatever a copy when it's available. Hopefully it will get a distribution deal and more people can see it.

Disclosure: I was a backer of this movie on Indiegogo. But I did fly several hundred miles to see the world premiere, and I don't regret the time or expense.

Little budget. Big concept. Big laughs. Bigger heart.

[raintrower · 10/10 · 18 June 2020]

On paper, Driven is a low budget comedy horror. In reality, it's a beautifully written character piece, which just happens to have beings hell bent on destruction along for the ride. The central premise is sound, the entities suitably creepy, but it's the odd-couple interaction between the pitch perfect leads (Screenwriter/actor Casey Dillard as Emerson and Richard Speight, Jr. as Roger) that makes this movie a must see. On the surface, Casey's smart-with-heart screenplay crackles urgently with energy and humour, but it carries a surprisingly poignant core, which is touchingly played by both performers. Props too to director Glenn Payne for his stellar work behind the camera. Despite being set almost entirely in one vehicle, at night, Driven pops with colour and a stylistic flair far beyond its meagre budget. Buckle up.

Absorbing and charming

[ladykombucha · 9/10 · 18 June 2020]

Some films you watch while browsing your phone and thinking about what to have for dinner. This is not one of those films. Speight and Dillard work fantastically well together, and their combined wit and talent make Driven a true gem of an indie film.

Date Night Without a Fight

[jamiebonura · 9/10 · 19 June 2020]

Normally my husband and I have very few overlapping tastes when it comes to anything. Driven was the perfect movie for two people who couldn't be more polar opposites. Equally enjoyable to us both, Driven was a nice little indie supernatural comedy that was just the right amount of both silly and earnest to keep us both amused to the end.