DRIVEN

SPOILERS AND STUFF (YES, IT'S GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO THINK UP CLEVER SPOILER WARNINGS)

In the sense that it's "about" a guy on a quest to break a fourth-generation family curse by performing a ritual to banish demons, Driven does qualify as a horror film (and even ended up on a FrightFest Discovery Screen). But deep down, it's not, as the genre elements are very much in the background, behind a quirky two-handed character drama detailing the thawing antagonism between an amateur demon-hunter and the Uber driver he's hired for the night. He needs to gather certain items and perform a banishing ritual by summoning a Hero with a magic talisman, she's a wannabe standup forever practising her material in the car but never actually braving the local Open Mic circuit. Initially they grate on each other, but gradually they start to connect...

The elements of comedy aren't actually that surprising when you know that both director and writer/star are members of an improv troupe. In the end it's a light, amiable and amusing little trifle, barely leaving the inside of the car, with the demon curse stuff added it as though it's been suggested by a member of the audience. It won't suffice for the hard horror crowd more interested in the genre aspects than the character material. I quite enjoyed it, but it's unlikely I'll ever go back to it.

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