Drive (2011)

Last updated:
June 23, 2025

Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, is a neo-noir crime thriller that’s equal parts arthouse and action. With a minimalist approach, stylized violence, and an iconic synth-heavy soundtrack, the film has achieved cult status. Anchored by Ryan Gosling’s intense performance as the stoic Driver, Drive is a meditation on loneliness, identity, and sudden bursts of violence in an otherwise silent world.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Driver’s Dual Life

The film opens with an incredible tension-filled sequence. The unnamed Driver (Ryan Gosling) works as a getaway driver-for-hire by night and a Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic by day. He’s quiet, calculated, and imposes strict rules: he gives his clients five minutes of his time. No more.

This opening chase sequence through the streets of Los Angeles, where he escapes police pursuit without a single crash, showcases his cold professionalism and sets the tone for the movie’s blend of high-stakes tension and eerie calm.

Irene and Benicio: A Glimmer of Normalcy

Driver meets Irene (Carey Mulligan), his neighbor, and her young son Benicio. There’s a growing emotional connection between them, hinting at the life he could have had. This brief serenity is disrupted when Irene’s husband, Standard Gabriel (Oscar Isaac), is released from prison and returns home.

Despite this, Driver remains close to Irene and Benicio. He even helps Standard, who is being forced to commit a pawnshop robbery to repay prison protection debts to local criminals.

The Heist Gone Wrong

Driver agrees to be the wheelman for the pawnshop heist, hoping to protect Irene and Benicio. The job, however, is a setup. Standard is killed during the robbery, and Driver realizes they’ve been double-crossed.

This is where things take a dark turn. Driver’s silent demeanor cracks as he unleashes brutal violence on those who betrayed him. He goes on a mission to uncover who set them up and why.

Enter Bernie Rose and Nino

The money from the heist was mafia money, and the situation gets tangled with two dangerous figures: Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) and Nino (Ron Perlman). As the body count rises, Driver becomes a one-man army, taking matters into his own hands.

He brutally kills Nino by drowning him in the ocean and confronts Bernie, knowing full well that their paths won’t both end peacefully.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Driver sets up a meeting with Bernie Rose to return the money, hoping this will protect Irene and Benicio. Bernie agrees, but not without a final betrayal.

In a tense nighttime confrontation, Driver stabs Bernie—but not before Bernie stabs him too. It’s a quiet, poetic end to their violent spiral.

The final scene shows Driver bleeding out in his car. For a moment, we think he might be dead. But then, in a hauntingly serene moment, he opens his eyes, starts the car, and silently drives off into the night, leaving the money behind and disappearing from Irene’s life.

We never hear him speak to her again. There’s no reunion, no revenge fantasy fulfilled. Just a quiet retreat into the shadows—exactly as he lived.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Drive does not have any post-credits scenes. The story ends with Driver’s symbolic drive into the unknown. The credits roll over the iconic “A Real Hero” by College & Electric Youth, letting the weight of the ending sink in without interruption.

Type of Movie

Drive is a neo-noir crime thriller with strong elements of arthouse cinema, romance, and psychological drama. It’s stylish, emotionally restrained, and punctuated by sudden violence.

Cast

Ryan Gosling as Driver
Carey Mulligan as Irene
Bryan Cranston as Shannon
Oscar Isaac as Standard Gabriel
Albert Brooks as Bernie Rose
Ron Perlman as Nino
Christina Hendricks as Blanche

Film Music and Composer

The score, composed by Cliff Martinez, is one of the most celebrated parts of the film. The synth-heavy, ambient tracks perfectly match the film’s tone. Key songs include:

“A Real Hero” – College & Electric Youth
“Nightcall” – Kavinsky
“Under Your Spell” – Desire

The music acts like a character itself, highlighting the emotional undercurrents beneath the Driver’s stoicism.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot on location in Los Angeles, using real streets rather than sets. This choice gives the film a grounded, gritty realism. Neighborhoods like Echo Park and downtown L.A. are featured prominently.

The film also captures the mood of the city at night—lonely, neon-lit, and teeming with hidden danger.

Awards and Nominations

Best Director – Cannes Film Festival 2011 (won by Nicolas Winding Refn)
Nominated for Best Sound Editing – Academy Awards
Numerous critics’ circle awards for Best Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Score, and Cinematography

Although not a huge awards sweep, Drive became a critical darling and a modern cult classic.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Ryan Gosling picked Nicolas Winding Refn personally to direct the film. They bonded over Thai food and music more than scripts.
The Driver originally had more dialogue, but Gosling and Refn decided to strip most of it away.
The “scorpion jacket” was inspired by the 1963 movie Scorpio Rising and took on a life of its own as a fashion icon.
Albert Brooks, known for comedic roles, shocked audiences by playing against type as a ruthless mobster.
Refn is colorblind, which influenced the film’s bold lighting choices and neon palette.

Inspirations and References

Based on the 2005 novel Drive by James Sallis.
Strongly influenced by Le Samouraï (1967) by Jean-Pierre Melville, Thief (1981), and The Driver (1978).
The film has nods to classic Westerns and silent protagonists like Clint Eastwood’s “Man with No Name.”

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no confirmed alternate endings, but some deleted scenes focused more on Shannon’s backstory and Bernie’s criminal past. These were cut to maintain the Driver’s perspective and keep the pacing tight.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While based on James Sallis’s novel, the film takes major liberties:

The book has a nonlinear narrative, while the film is more straightforward.
The tone of the novel is darker and more introspective.
In the book, Driver kills more methodically and dies at the end—whereas the film leaves his fate ambiguous.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The opening getaway sequence through L.A.—a masterclass in tension and control.
The elevator scene—where Driver kisses Irene and then violently kills a hitman in front of her.
Driver smashing a man’s skull in a diner after saying: “How about this—shut your mouth or I’ll kick your teeth down your throat and shut it for you.”

Iconic Quotes

“You give me a time and a place, I give you a five-minute window.”
“There’s a hundred thousand streets in this city. You don’t need to know the route. You give me a time and a place.”
“You know the story about the scorpion and the frog?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The Driver wears a scorpion jacket referencing the fable of the scorpion and the frog—symbolizing betrayal and violent instinct.
The film’s minimal use of dialogue mirrors the silent film era and heightens visual storytelling.
Bernie’s knife-to-the-throat technique is historically used by assassins to prevent screaming—adding chilling realism.

Trivia

Gosling did many of his own stunt driving.
The script originally had more action, but Refn scaled it down to focus on atmosphere and character.
The film’s budget was just $15 million but grossed over $75 million worldwide.
The sound design was heavily influenced by 1980s video games and synth music.

Why Watch?

If you’re into stylish, emotionally complex thrillers with a side of ultraviolence and a killer soundtrack, Drive is a must-watch. It’s a film that whispers when others scream, and when it hits—it hits hard. For fans of quiet antiheroes and neon-soaked existentialism, this is essential viewing.

Director’s Other Movies

Bronson (2008)
Only God Forgives (2013)
The Neon Demon (2016)
Pusher trilogy (1996–2005)

Drive (2011)