In a zombie apocalypse, one man desperately tries to keep his family alive.
For a smaller production, “The Driver” is an interesting ride, with all kinds of interesting turns, as well as some unexpected bumps. Somewhat average acting and shots are carried by the simple yet gripping, relatable plot. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story has the same predictable familiarity of other zombie movies. Where this one shines is in the relationships of our protagonists, and how they change throughout the film.
As expected, the film starts in a typical zombie-infested apocalyptic wasteland where people are faced with hard choices every day just to survive. Despite the horrible state of affairs, people have a tendency to fall into a state of relative normalcy. Life goes on, and they eke out their existence as best they can. This is highlighted best in the children living in the compound, many of which remember little to nothing of the world that came before. It is up to the parents to arm their children with the knowledge to face the harsh world.
After a questionable raid, chaos destroys any semblance of regularity in the survivors’ lives. Out of the dozens of people living there, only a few make it out alive. The lead, simply known as The Driver (Mark Dacascos), has to get his daughter to safety, as her mother was tragically killed by a zombie, let in amidst the struggle. Thanks to his preparation, the two manage to escape with the only working vehicle and some supplies. After losing everything, this man must stand strong for his daughter.
Before the fall of their encampment, there were rumors of another, better settlement somewhere north. Most people wrote chasing this rumor off as risky and foolish. But now it is time to find out if it is true.
The following morning, they take a pit stop to collect themselves. While taking account of the situation, Mark discovers he was actually bitten in the struggle. It is made very clear, if you are bitten at all, you are on borrowed time. He accepts his fate while faced with his daughter, who will soon be all alone in the world. He decides the only course left is to get her to the rumored camp so that she has a chance at life.
Throughout the trip, they learn together. He shows her how to drive, how to fire a gun, and how to survive. And she shows him Tik Tok videos. But in all seriousness, this film does a decent job of dotting in some humor here and there. But due to the okay acting, some of the scenes come off a little less than believable.
However, the road trip is a good way to make the experience somewhat relatable while maintaining the dire atmosphere. Throughout the ride, he tries to cram an entire childhood of training into a day. But his condition worsens as the day wears on, and eventually, the truth comes out. Fortunately, he eventually finds two women also in search of the rumored camp. In the end, he uses his limited time to go out in a blaze of glory, making the ultimate sacrifice so the three would have a chance to make it to their destination. The film ends with the daughter swearing to make the best of the life he granted her.
Overall, the film is not bad. Of course, the acting and directing didn’t reach blockbuster standards, but the story has some real potential. Given that this production was smaller, it says something that it ends with you wanting to see the daughter make something of herself. With the right resources, this story could become a promising series but the team fails to make the world unique or immersive in the time given. Which is a shame, because this is a relatable and interesting story that tugs on your heartstrings at times. If zombie survival isn’t your cup of tea, this film may not be enough to make up for that. But if you’re a fan of seeing characters go on a life-changing journey, then it’s not half bad.
Now available on Digital, On-Demand, and DVD
