Linas Phillips created a relatable character in Wayne. Everyone has suffered through a bad relationship where one party leaves feeling used. Not everyone wants to be a spiritual guide, but most people want to help others if they can, and everyone has been down on their luck. Not everyone still lives with their moms in their thirties, but some people do, and some people come close to moving back in with mom and dad more often than they’d like to admit.
Phillips has a golden original premise that could easily lead to more episodes of The Ride. It is High Maintenance meets Deepak Chopra and who knew that could even happen. It’s funny in that awkward cringy way that some people can’t handle. Wayne begins to figure things out and in the end. He still comes off as sympathetic but not without being a little creepy, and it works to the show’s credit.
“…a golden original premise that could easily lead to more episodes…”
To be fair, Dana totally takes advantage of Wayne’s feelings, but he could go about things in such a better way than how he chooses to do so. I found myself wanting to reach through the screen and shake some sense into him. I’m not sure if he’ll ever entirely come to his senses. Perhaps through his spiritual exploration and more episodes, Wayne will get his act together and who knows, maybe even get more than a one-star rating.
The Ride screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
"…High Maintenance meets Deepak Chopra..."
