10 Gripping Neo-Noirs You Must See Before You Die
5. Drive
A film very much in the mould of Thief, 2011's Drive may be Nicolas Winding Refn's most conventional film to date, but his oppressive, surreal style still makes this an unusual ride. Adapted from James Sallis' novel of the same name, the film concerns a getaway driver taking a seemingly run-of-the-mill job only for things to go awry and result an onslaught of brutal killings and betrayals.
The film's first hour is innocuous and somewhat romantic, setting up a tender friendship between Ryan Gosling's unnamed Driver and his neighbour, played by Carey Mulligan. However, shortly after the half-way mark, a botched robbery sees the tone flip drastically. Shots are fired, throats are slashed and heads are stomped on with an almost grindhouse level of violence and gore. It's like watching most of Before Sunrise and then changing the channel only to catch the ending to Taxi Driver.
Gosling's performance as The Driver is one of the finest of his career - his transformation from shy, friendly neighbour to terrifying dark horse is exemplified by his now infamous and entirely unexpected line: "How about this? Shut your mouth. Or I'll kick your teeth down your throat and I'll shut it for you."