Self Driver, directed by Michael Pierro, is a razor-sharp indie thriller about the dark side of the gig economy. Set almost entirely in a car, the film explores how desperation can blur the line between opportunity and exploitation.
A down-and-out Toronto rideshare driver named D (Nathanael Chadwick), who lives paycheck to paycheck, struggles to provide for himself, his wife, and his child. Desperate to make a big score to stave off his landlord for late rent, a suspicious customer offers him a chance to make big money fast. There is a new and unknown app. With few options and nothing to lose, D signs up, only to discover that his passengers and assignments are anything but ordinary.
There are numerous rules surrounding this app, which only provide directions such as ‘turn right,’ ‘turn left,’ ‘wait,’ and possibly ‘ditch a mysterious bag.’ He must follow these rules to the letter, or he’ll be penalized or miss out on some lucrative bonuses. The main rule he has to follow is don’t talk to the customer.
His first ride is a young woman who changes into a skimpy angel outfit and is dropped off in the seediest spot in town. This is the first moment that D realizes something isn’t right. He then picks up what appears to be a crazy drug dealer, or maybe a trafficker. D must simply keep his head down and do the job; thousands of dollars are waiting as a reward.
A mysterious passenger in costume sets off the night’s first warning sign in Self Driver
“D must simply keep his head down and do the job; thousands of dollars are waiting as a reward.”
Self Driver is an incredible thriller, and since it’s an indie thriller, it takes place mainly in D’s car. Where it succeeds is in its simple premise: What if there were a rideshare app for the underworld? What would you do? On the one hand, you’re making big money fast, and if you’re desperate, maybe you’d “not see” what’s happening in your car. On the other hand, perhaps you should consider doing this. Worse, as you take on more and more jobs, what kind of liability do you face? Both criminal and physical.
A story like Self Driver is one that only an indie filmmaker can make. As D, Nathanael Chadwick is perfect as our unwitting protagonist. He puts us right in his shoes, and I couldn’t help but wonder, what would I do in this situation? Would I even download the app? Would I do the first job and walk? But damn, that’s a lot of money.
I also love that every step is a mystery. Who is behind this app? Why am I being asked to do potentially illegal things? How can I keep cool if a police car happens to pull up alongside my car? The best thrillers keep you engaged throughout, and Self Driver does it brilliantly.
The film also boasts a strong cast of actors and a skilled team behind the scenes, making the cramped setting of a car feel both gripping and claustrophobic. Michael Pierro’s script is indie brilliance… understand your limitations and the resources you have, and run with it.
Self Driver is a gripping descent into the moral gray zones of survival. As D becomes entangled in a ride-hailing nightmare, writer/director Pierro asks uncomfortable questions about complicity, desperation, and how far one might go when cornered. With tight performances, inventive storytelling, and an unending sense of dread, Self Driver delivers a suspenseful and thought-provoking ride from start to finish. Don’t forget to leave five stars after it’s done.
"…Don’t forget to leave five stars after it’s done."
