Recursive road survival thrillers have surged post-pandemic, with the idea of a couple stranded in an endless loop being a highly achievable premise on a small budget and tight timeline. While I don’t have full details on the specs for Cody Ashford’s Drive Back, the film echoes similar themes as last year’s standout indie selection Brightwood. In this feature, penned by Jon Sarro, we’re taken on an in-depth journey exploring the universal challenges couples face while navigating today’s hectic world. The ways we respond to each other in crises can determine our survival—or become our ultimate undoing—when confronting the unknown.
In Drive Back, we meet Reid (Zack Gold) and Olivia (Whit Kunschik), a newly engaged couple celebrating their announcement with friends and family at an isolated cabin. On their way home, they take a presumed “shortcut,” only to be rerouted into an endless labyrinth of purgatory. The two find themselves in a fight for survival against unknown assailants and dark, shadowy figures lurking in the woods. Drive Back brilliantly heightens anxiety, with Reid and Olivia already dealing with personal issues that exacerbate their dire situation. The chemistry between Gold and Kunschik is essential, grounding the mystery and tension as their characters’ interactions reveal hidden depths. Both actors deliver standout performances, bringing authenticity to a disoriented, surreal world. Carefully placed misdirections also keep the viewer guessing, sure to satisfy even casual sci-fi fans.
Unlike many indie sci-fi films, Drive Back brings its story and concept to an amplified, almost nostalgic place, making its conclusion both unexpected and refreshing. It’s clear the team knew they were working within familiar genre territory, so they took creative liberties to elevate the experience. As 2024 wraps up with some remarkable indie releases, Drive Back stands out as one of the year’s finest.
Rating: 4/5
DRIVE BACK
Directed by: Cody Ashford
Written by: Jon Sarro
Produced by: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing
Cast: Zack Gold, Whit Kunschik, Tammy Kaitz, Robert Stephenson, Madonna Young Magee, Jim Tuck, Crystal Foster
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