Overview
Drive Back is a 2024 American suspense-horror film directed by Cody Ashford. It follows a newly engaged couple who, after their engagement party, become trapped on a sinister, seemingly endless backroad—and hunted by a mysterious masked stranger. IMDb
Synopsis
Reid (Zack Gold) and Olivia (Whit Kunschik) set out from their engagement celebration via a local shortcut suggested by an eccentric clerk. What begins as a harmless detour soon warps into a disorienting nightmare: the road never ends, their memories fragment, and a silent, masked pursuer closes in. As they confront ominous apparitions and repeatable twists in time, their trust in each other—and their grasp on reality—slowly unravels. Dread Central
Cast & Performances
- Whit Kunschik (Olivia) anchors the film with a portrayal of rising panic and determination.
- Zack Gold (Reid) balances moments of desperation with the vulnerability of a man racing against both time and superstition.
- Robert Lewis Stephenson, Tammy Kaitz, and Madonna Young Magee round out the supporting ensemble, each adding brief but potent glimpses into the couple’s past and the forest’s secrets. Letterboxd
Direction & Production
Under Cody Ashford’s direction, Drive Back leans into tight framing and low-light cinematography—courtesy of Lucas Pitassi—to amplify the sense of claustrophobia on open roadways. Jon Sarro’s script weaves adultery and impending parenthood subplots into the horror framework, while Richard Breakspear’s sparse score underscores both jump scares and quieter moments of dread. Produced by Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff, the film runs a brisk 90 minutes, favoring atmosphere over exposition. Letterboxd
Themes & Reception
The film explores memory’s fragility and the darker aftermath of secrets—most notably Reid and Olivia’s past affair, which resurfaces repeatedly in cryptic visual clues. While critics praised its “strong horror energy” and effective suspense, many noted the execution feels “haphazard” and that thematic threads never fully cohere Rotten TomatoesDread Central. On Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers are split, with Kat Hughes calling it “Hellish in new directions” (3/5) and Abbie Bernstein awarding a B– for its uneven narrative Rotten Tomatoes.
Conclusion & Rating
Drive Back delivers unsettling set pieces and a taut central conceit, but its repetitive structure and underdeveloped subplots may frustrate viewers seeking clarity. It earns 2 out of 5 stars, a decent pick for horror aficionados drawn to time-loop mysteries, but one that ultimately leaves more questions than answers.
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