What starts as a light-hearted comedy soon takes an emotional turn in Joyride, a film that recently made its Netflix debut despite first releasing in 2022. Viewers who expected a typical feel-good flick have found themselves deeply moved by its unexpected depth.
One viewer on X shared: “Watched on Netflix thinking it was going to be a silly little comedy with Olivia Colman… I’m SOBBING.” Others echoed the sentiment, revealing that they were unexpectedly touched by the film’s poignant final scenes.
Another Netflix fan described the experience: “Oh, blimey. An absolute joy of a film… Tender, funny, and warm. It was exactly what I needed tonight.” Another simply wrote: “I have so many words, but very little to explain just how amazing this film is… just watch it!”
One more viewer reflected: “Such a great film. Came across this little gem by accident on Netflix.”
Joyride stars Olivia Colman alongside rising talents Charlie Reid and Lochlann Ó Mearáin. At first glance, the movie appears to be a quirky road-trip comedy. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals a tender and emotionally resonant narrative that has caught many viewers off guard.
The plot follows Mully, a teenager mourning the recent loss of his mother to cancer. When he learns that his father is misusing charity funds raised in her name, Mully steals the money and impulsively takes off in a taxi. But when he hops in, he finds Joy (played by Colman), a middle-aged woman with a newborn and a serious hangover.
Joy is a solicitor dealing with the emotional fallout of an unexpected pregnancy later in life. Initially strangers with little in common, Mully and Joy form an unlikely connection as they drive through the Irish countryside, evading detection while grappling with their personal traumas. What begins as a physical escape becomes a profound emotional journey, one that transforms both characters.
Colman, who was immediately drawn to the role, shared with Metro that she couldn’t stop thinking about the character after reading the script. She said, “I loved how it was all put together. I loved the story and I really wanted to do it.” Reflecting on Joy’s complexity, she added: “She’s very independent, quite fierce… Partly why she doesn’t want this baby is that she doesn’t want to be as bad as her own mum was, and she’s terrified of that.”
Joyride is currently streaming on Netflix and has quickly become a sleeper hit, captivating audiences with its unique blend of humor and heart.
