Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- mysterious
- austere
- late night noir viewing
- car chase marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film austere and pretentious, but many acknowledged its exceptional car chases, striking urban atmosphere, and distinctive noir style.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The central figures are identified primarily as The Driver, The Detective, and The Player, with sparse personal histories and symbolic functions.
Walter Hill frames Los Angeles streets, parking structures, and cars as stark nocturnal spaces shaped by lines, shadows, and motion.
The Driver's identity centers on his exceptional getaway-driving skill, composure, and controlled conduct during robberies and pursuit.
The film's celebrated pursuit sequences make vehicle movement and sound effects central to its suspense and identity.
Films like The Driver, and why
Le Samouraï
shared neo-noir minimalism, professional criminal protagonist, and nocturnal urban tension
Bullitt
shared high-stakes getaway driving, lean action grammar, and iconic car chases
The French Connection
shared 1970s crime atmosphere, morally ambiguous professionals, and kinetic pursuit sequences
Thief
shared terse neo-noir style, stylized violence, and emotionally detached criminal figures
Movie Details
- Director
- Walter Hill
- Release Date
- 1978-06-08
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (543)
Cast
- Ryan O'Neal
- Bruce Dern
- Isabelle Adjani
- Ronee Blakley
- Matt Clark
- Felice Orlandi
- Joseph Walsh
- Rudy Ramos
- Denny Macko
- Frank Bruno
Common questions
- What is The Driver about?
- A fiercely controlled getaway driver battles a relentless detective in Walter Hill’s stark, nocturnal Los Angeles neo-noir.
- What is The Driver like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Driver as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Driver violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Driver as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Driver?
- Critics broadly found the film austere and pretentious, but many acknowledged its exceptional car chases, striking urban atmosphere, and distinctive noir style.
- Which films are like The Driver?
- Films with a similar feel include Le Samouraï, Bullitt, The French Connection, and Thief.
- How long is The Driver?
- The Driver runs 91 minutes.
