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Drive

Drive

There are no clean getaways.

2011100 minRMidcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Director
Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring
Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks

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.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Drive?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Drive to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Drive?

Drive earns 13 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of films.

Show 5 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Drive worth watching?

Drive's Midcredits score is the 96th percentile of all films, from 2.9M ratings across 6 sources. 83% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

96th percentile

Better received than 96% of films

97th percentile among Action96th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)95th
Approval (how many liked it)93rd

78 /100

95th percentile of all films

98th percentile among Action95th percentile among 2010s

Critics 79 · Audience 78

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

83% liked it

93rd percentile of all films

95th percentile among Action94th percentile among 2010s
83% rated it 7–1017% rated it 1–6

Critics 93% · Audience 79%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 30 wins / 68 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Sound Editing
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

99th percentile

2.9M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 5% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$15M
Opening weekend$11M
Domestic gross$35M
Worldwide gross$80M

Returned 5.3× its budget — 83rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A stylish, ultra-violent neo-noir with a minimalist lead performance and a synth-heavy soundtrack.

Fans praised

  • hypnotic atmosphere with neon-lit visuals and synth soundtrack
  • Ryan Gosling's minimalist, charismatic performance
  • brutal, shocking violence that punctuates slow-burn tension

Detractors panned

  • underdeveloped plot with clichés and implausible logic
  • pretentious, slow pacing with excessive silence and pauses
  • gratuitous, shock-value violence that feels out of place

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive90

Hypnotic, dreamlike tone with neon-drenched LA nights

Sound and musicDivisive90

Synth-pop soundtrack with 'Nightcall' and 'A Real Hero'

Cinematography88

Lush neon-noir visuals and striking compositions

ActingDivisive85

Gosling's quiet intensity praised as iconic; detractors call it wooden

TensionDivisive80

Slow-burn suspense erupting into bursts of violence

CharactersDivisive50

Driver's mystery compelling to fans; detractors see no depth or motivation

PacingDivisive50

Deliberate, simmering tension for fans; detractors find it painfully slow

Plot and storyDivisive40

Simple heist-gone-wrong story; detractors call it derivative and illogical

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 15 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 2 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Drive like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention, room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseContemplativeRomantic
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Romantic · 8% of filmsBrutal · 7% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film maintains a cool, detached surface that erupts into sudden brutality, all while holding a romantic, melancholic core.
The rideLong stretches of ambient, nearly wordless calm are punctuated by sudden, shocking eruptions of extreme violence.
StructureThe story follows a linear timeline from the driver's routine to the heist and its aftermath.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

The answer rests on this: Haunting · 14% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's blend of romance and violence leaves a haunting, bittersweet sense of loss and longing.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe driver defeats criminal bosses to protect a woman and her child from harm, but at great personal cost.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSacrificeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% (this title) · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Sacrifice · 4% of filmsViolence · 4% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores what one person will sacrifice—including his own humanity—to protect a woman and her child from a world of violence.
StanceThe film mourns the loss of gentleness and the necessity of violence in a corrupt world; its hero gives up his chance at love to protect others.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
ElectronicAmbientForeground music · hybrid · Cliff Martinez
SettingLos Angeles night world of garages, elevators, motels, and strip malls
MusicA pulsing, synth-heavy score that helps create a dreamlike, late-night atmosphere in the quiet scenes while speeding up during tense sequences.

Content guide

Is Drive okay for kids?

R

Drive is rated R: “Rated R for strong brutal bloody violence, language and some nudity” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (96/100), sexual content at moderate (57/100), language at intense (70/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (34/100) and frightening material at severe (87/100). Overall it is heavier than 87% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 37 other countries
  • UK18
  • Canada18A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany18
  • France12
  • Ireland18
  • JapanR15+
  • South Korea18
  • Brazil16
  • Argentina16
  • Austria16
  • Belgium18
  • CL14
  • Czechia18+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-18
  • GreeceK-17
  • Hong KongIII
  • ID17+
  • IndiaA
  • Israel16
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-16
  • MexicoB15
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway15
  • PhilippinesR-13
  • Poland18
  • PortugalM/16
  • RO18+
  • Russia18+
  • SingaporeM18
  • South Africa16
  • Spain18
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 92% of all filmsHeavier than 87% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 97%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 68%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 57%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 31%
Frightening / Intense
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 90%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, frightening material, and language. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Drive have?

MovieCove's classifier found 4 depicted content warnings in Drive: Gore or body horror (severe), Medical procedures (mild), plus 2 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGore or body horror
MildMedical procedures

Cast and crew

Who is in Drive?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Ryan Gosling
as Driver
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Carey Mulligan
as Irene
BAFTA nominee: BAFTA Award nomination — Best Supporting ActressTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bryan Cranston
as Shannon
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Albert Brooks
as Bernie Rose
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Oscar Isaac
as Standard
Christina Hendricks
as Blanche
Ron Perlman
as Nino
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Kaden Leos
as Benicio
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jeff Wolfe
as Tan Suit
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
James Biberi
as Cook
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Drive?

Movies like Drive include Love Lies Bleeding (2024), The Proposition (2005) and Only God Forgives (2013). Of the 6 closest matches, most are films about violence, and two are revenge thrillers.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Drive?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: neo-noir. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.