The 2022 film Joyride, starring Olivia Colman, is now available to stream free on ITVX. The coming-of-age Irish drama has been described as heartbreaking and has left many fans in tears.
The film, which first debuted at the Galway Film Festival, follows an unlikely pair who cross paths during a period of transition in their lives, both harbouring desperate hopes. Set in Ireland, the film showcases its breathtaking countryside, which plays a significant role in the widely acclaimed cinematography.
Plot and Performances
The story begins with 12-year-old Mully, who absconds from his home in County Kerry following the death of his mother. Discovering that his father had stolen donated hospice funds to settle his debts, Mully decides to pocket the money and make a run for it in an unoccupied taxi.
However, the taxi is not empty. It is carrying Joy, a middle-aged woman the worse for drink, along with her newborn baby. Her intention was to leave the baby with her childhood friend Mags and jet off to Lanzarote, as she feels no connection to the child and has no idea who the father is.
Fan Reactions
Sharing their views on the two lead actors, one viewer wrote on IMDb: "Olivia Coleman and Charlie Reid make a great duo team. Although it was Reid's first major project, he performed successfully in front of a great actress like Coleman."
Another viewer said: "Great acting! Olivia Colman and Charlie Ride play their roles very well. There is a symbiosis between them. You can see that Olivia gave a lot of herself for this role. She probably also helped Charlie express his role better. It's worth watching."
Also featuring in the film is a predominantly Irish cast comprising Lochlann Ó Mearáin as James Mulligan, Olwen Fouéré as Sideline Sue and Aisling O'Sullivan as Mags, amongst many others.
Distribution and Availability
It was a modest production, distributed by Vertigo Films, and consequently failed to gain significant traction, bypassing cinemas entirely and heading straight to streaming platforms, despite boasting an A-list star. What has drawn many viewers into the "phoneomenal, funny and moving" storyline is the fact that it is an entirely original story, rather than a book adaptation or a remake.
One viewer added: "I watched this on my flight home from England, and I cried so many times just from being so emotionally invested."
Joyride is available to stream now for free at home on ITVX.
