Driver (Barry Pepper) picks up Passenger (Jamie Costa) on the orders of their crime boss (Rachel Griffiths). While Passenger believes he is off to collect on a job done well, Driver has his suspicions and concerns.

The movie is a stripped-back, hard-boiled, neo-Western noir thriller, with a permeating sense of dread throughout due to the dramatic irony of the potential fate of Passenger. Pepper’s hardened and world-weary getaway driver’s only softness is for his young son. Keeping to his own lane while on the job, Driver sticks to his prized possession: a leather-covered manual gas guzzler from an age long gone. Along the long, lonely, dark road, Driver’s sympathy starts to shift to his cargo, a young father himself whose inauguration into the criminal underworld did not go to plan at all.

Despite the lack of souls throughout the desolate environment, the night has eyes: the city’s underbelly keeps tabs on our travellers every step of the way. Like Breaking Bad, the pair encounter troublesome criminals from all tiers, from gas store troublemakers to mob-money launderers. Sam Neil chews the scenery with his against-type character; a wronged criminal seeking revenge from our duo. Up-and-comer Costa has made a solid feature film entry here, a naïve wannabe crim looking for an opportunity to provide for his young family.

Verdict: A beautifully shot, well-acted and intriguing cold noir that disappointingly eschews a signature ending in favour of a potential knock-off John Wick franchise. 3.5 stars.

Luke McWilliams, themovieclub.net.