O Passageiro das Trevas

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.

I first encountered DRIVEN, the quirky love child of COLLATERAL and SUPERNATURAL, as part of a film festival last year and immediately thought it was deserving of a wider audience. Casey Dillard's brisk, cleverly-batty script is served beautifully by Glenn Payne's steady direction and DP Michael Williams' obviously-keen eye. Yes, there are demons and the fate of humanity might be at stake, but the real treat here is the chemistry between Richard Speight Jr. ("Roger"), a mysterious loner with a whole bucket load of secrets, and Dillard herself ("Emerson"), a wannabe stand-up comedian working a ride-share night shift. The two actors banter back and forth, trading licks like virtuoso musicians, first antagonistically, and then ... well, watch the movie. The dialogue is sharp and witty and the two central performances are perfectly wrought.

The casting of the Speight (of the aforementioned SUPERNATURAL), who broods and charms in equal measure here, was a real stroke of brilliance by Payne. Speight's mere presence immediately conveys the tone for which Payne aspires (and achieves). Yes, to return to my initial comparison, the fun we have is more CW than Michael Mann, a refreshing, if all-too-fleeting, cool breeze of a film that whisks past you before you even realized how much you enjoyed it, but there is real craft and sturdy filmmaking on display here, from the script, to the cast, and right on up the line, made all the more impressive given that this is an independent film made a zillion miles away from studios and their resources. Payne succeeds in making a film that, effectively, takes place inside a car for 90 minutes completely and utterly engaging and, COLLATERAL comparison notwithstanding, it all feels fresh and uniquely-spun. That is no small task. Give DRIVEN a shot. After all, who couldn't use a rapid infusion of cool, fresh air right about now?

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.

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!

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.