Baby Driver (2017)

Last updated:
September 6, 2025

Baby Driver (2017), written and directed by Edgar Wright, is a stylish action-crime film that blends high-octane car chases with carefully synchronized music. It’s not just another heist movie; it’s essentially a “musical with cars,” where every movement is choreographed to the soundtrack.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Baby’s Life Behind the Wheel

The story follows Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young getaway driver with tinnitus, who drowns out the ringing in his ears with music. He’s a prodigy behind the wheel, and his talents are used by criminal mastermind Doc (Kevin Spacey) to pull off daring heists. Baby owes Doc a debt, and until it’s paid off, he can’t leave the life of crime.

The Heist Crew

Doc never uses the same crew twice. Baby ends up driving for violent criminals including Buddy (Jon Hamm), Darling (Eiza González), Griff (Jon Bernthal), and later Bats (Jamie Foxx). Each crew has different dynamics, but tension always simmers because they don’t trust Baby’s quiet, music-obsessed demeanor.

Baby Meets Debora

Outside his criminal life, Baby falls in love with Debora (Lily James), a waitress who shares his dream of hitting the road and escaping to a better life. Their relationship gives Baby hope that he can leave the criminal world behind once his debt is repaid.

The “One Last Job”

After Baby clears his debt with Doc, he tries to walk away. But Doc insists he’s too valuable to let go. Baby is forced into another job with Bats, Buddy, and Darling. The heist goes south when Bats kills a security guard, and Baby deliberately sabotages the plan, refusing to be complicit in murder.

The Spiral

Things escalate quickly. During the chaos, Darling is killed in a shootout with the police. Buddy snaps, blaming Baby, and vows revenge. Baby and Debora flee, but Buddy relentlessly pursues them.

Movie Ending

The climax sees Baby facing off against Buddy in a parking garage. After a tense battle, Baby manages to kill Buddy by making him fall onto a burning car that explodes. Baby and Debora attempt to escape, but the police are waiting. Instead of dragging Debora down, Baby turns himself in and is arrested.

At his trial, witnesses testify to Baby’s good character—how he tried to protect innocent people during the heists and never killed anyone directly. He’s sentenced to 25 years in prison, with parole possible after 5 years.

The final scene shows Debora waiting for him, driving a classic car, as Baby walks out of prison. The film leaves it slightly ambiguous whether this is a dream sequence or reality, but Edgar Wright has confirmed that the ending is real: Baby serves his time, and Debora waits for him.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Baby Driver does not have any post-credits scenes. The movie ends with Baby’s release from prison and Debora waiting for him.

Type of Movie

Baby Driver is a heist film, action-thriller, and musical hybrid. It stands out because its action sequences are choreographed to music in a way rarely seen in Hollywood cinema.

Cast

Ansel Elgort as Baby
Lily James as Debora
Kevin Spacey as Doc
Jon Hamm as Buddy
Eiza González as Darling
Jamie Foxx as Bats
Jon Bernthal as Griff
CJ Jones as Joseph (Baby’s foster father)

Film Music and Composer

The film doesn’t have a traditional orchestral score. Instead, its soundtrack is the heartbeat of the movie, with songs by artists like The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Queen, The Beach Boys, and Simon & Garfunkel. Edgar Wright handpicked every track to sync with specific scenes, making the music an essential narrative device.

Filming Locations

Atlanta, Georgia served as the primary filming location.
The city’s highways, streets, and skyline were heavily featured, grounding the film in a gritty, urban American setting.
Edgar Wright specifically chose Atlanta for its diverse driving locations and unique aesthetic, giving the car chases a fresh backdrop compared to the usual Los Angeles setting.

Awards and Nominations

3 Academy Award nominations: Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.
BAFTA Award win for Editing.
Widely praised for its sound design, which was central to the storytelling.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Edgar Wright spent two decades developing this film.
Every major action sequence was storyboarded to match exact moments in the chosen songs.
Ansel Elgort learned how to do some of his own driving stunts.
Kevin Spacey’s lines were reportedly improvised in several scenes.
The cast made a shared playlist of music to keep the film’s rhythm consistent, even off-camera.

Inspirations and References

Inspired by the French film Le Samouraï (1967), especially in Baby’s quiet, stoic demeanor.
The concept came from Wright’s own music video for Mint Royale’s “Blue Song,” which featured a getaway driver lip-syncing in a car.
Influenced by classic car movies like The Driver (1978) and Heat (1995).

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes show extended dialogue between Baby and Debora, fleshing out their relationship.
An alternate ending was considered, where Baby didn’t survive the final confrontation, but Wright opted for a more hopeful resolution.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Baby Driver is not based on a book. It’s an original screenplay by Edgar Wright, though it borrows stylistic elements from crime novels and films.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The opening chase scene set to “Bellbottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
Baby dancing through the streets with his coffee, perfectly timed to “Harlem Shuffle.”
The heist that goes wrong, with Baby refusing to drive when innocent lives are at risk.
The climactic showdown with Buddy in the parking garage.

Iconic Quotes

Baby: “You and I are a team, Doc.”
Doc: “The moment you catch feelings is the moment you catch a bullet.”
Buddy: “You don’t belong in this world.”
Debora: “Sometimes all I want is to head west on 20 in a car I can’t afford, with a plan I don’t have.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Baby’s name isn’t just a nickname—it symbolizes his childlike need for music and escape.
Edgar Wright carefully timed the sound of gunshots to the beat of the soundtrack.
The number “715” shows up multiple times, referencing Wright’s birthday (April 18 → 7+1+5=13, his lucky number).
Each heist crew’s costumes and dialogue subtly foreshadow their fates.

Trivia

Wright personally choreographed many of the driving sequences with the stunt team.
The opening coffee sequence was shot 28 times to match the music perfectly.
Ansel Elgort actually sings and plays piano in real life, which helped shape Baby’s character.
The production used real practical stunts with minimal CGI.

Why Watch?

Because it’s a genre-bending masterpiece. If you like heist movies, if you like musicals, if you like car chases, or if you just like clever filmmaking—Baby Driver combines them all into something fresh and exhilarating. It’s one of those rare films that feels like pure cinema.

Baby Driver (2017)