Ed is the ultimate rideshare driver.
He’s driven to be the best, and if you’re lucky enough to ride in his car, you’ll see why. So what happens when his passenger is a serial killer targeting rideshare drivers?
That intoxicating premise should be enough for the indie thriller “Driver Ed.” Writer/director Travis Milloy raises the stakes on key levels, leaving audiences unsure of just what they’re seeing until the final frames.
It’s smart, original and, if the story strains credibility, the craftsmanship is rarely in doubt.
Anthony Casabianca stars as Ed, a young man brimming with ambition. He treats his rideshare customers to touristy details about L.A. and plies them with juice boxes and snacks.
He’s so aggressively kind it’s embarrassing, something he lacks the self-awareness to grasp. He’s also obsessed with Nora (Fayna Sanchez), his beautiful next-door neighbor who is locked in a toxic relationship.
Welcome to The Friendzone.
Ed’s focus isn’t exclusively on his car or crush. A local serial killer is stalking rideshare drivers. It explains why Ed’s police scanner is on at all times. He also created a few makeshift car enhancements to protect him in case of emergency.
Will that help when the killer (Rocco Hill) summons him for a lift?
Writer/director Travis Milloy offers some slick visuals from the jump, making this indie feel richer than your average small-budget tale. He’s also got a winning cast, with Casabianca’s naivete standing out in painful fashion.
Poor Ed is too inexperienced for what he’s up against, which makes the film’s midsection pulse with tension. Meanwhile, Sanchez captures the angst of a woman eager to make every excuse possible to defend her indefensible beau (Courtney Dober).
Their complicated bond comes off as stereotypical at first. Just wait.
Milloy has a few surprises in store for us. Some characters prove more challenging than they originally appear. The conflicts spark in unexpected ways, and if you’re not paying attention in the third act you’ll miss some powerful beats.
“Drive Ed” has something to say about youth, ambition, human nature and the ways we can deceive both perfect strangers and ourselves.
The film’s final image will stick with you for a while. As well it should.
“DRIVER ED” will screen at The Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival: Thriller Picture Show Oct. 4. The festival, now in its fifth year, offers audiences a crush of independently made features and short films from around the world.
The 2026 Thriller Picture Show runs from Oct. 2-4 at the Lindsay Theater and Conference Center in Sewickley, Penn.