A quirky romantic comedy that has split critics and audiences alike is poised to find a new home and potentially a much wider fanbase on Netflix this weekend.
A Quirky Road Trip Lands on Streaming
Drive-Away Dolls will be available to stream on Netflix from Saturday, 17th January. The film, which first debuted in 2024, is directed by Ethan Coen – one half of the legendary Coen Brothers filmmaking duo – and co-written with his wife, Tricia Cooke.
The story follows two lesbian best friends, the free-spirited Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and the more reserved Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who embark on a spontaneous road trip to Tallahassee. Their journey quickly spirals into chaos when they have a fateful encounter with a group of bumbling criminals on a distinctly crude mission.
An A-List Cast and Divided Reception
Beyond its two leads, the film boasts an impressive roster of starry cameos. Viewers can spot appearances from Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, and even a brief, uncredited role from pop icon Miley Cyrus.
Despite this stellar lineup, the film's initial reception was lukewarm. It holds a 64 percent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, contrasted with a more modest 37 percent audience score. It also failed to make a significant impact at the box office upon release.
Building a Passionate Cult Following
However, in the two years since its debut, Drive-Away Dolls has cultivated a dedicated and vocal group of supporters who passionately believe it is an underrated gem. Publications like Screen Rant have labelled it "underrated" and "one of the funniest comedies of 2024," suggesting it is only a matter of time before it achieves proper cult status.
This sentiment is echoed by fans on review platforms. One IMDb user awarded it a 10/10, stating: "This film has the making of a cult movie like Pulp Fiction." They praised its edgy satire, engaging dialogue, and humour, urging others to give it a chance.
On Letterboxd, fans have drawn comparisons to classic Coen Brothers works like Fargo and The Big Lebowski, as well as films like Thelma and Louise. One five-star review even called it an "instant favourite" and ranked it among their top three Coen-related films ever.
With its arrival on Netflix, this divisive but passionately loved road trip caper is set for a second life, offering a new audience the chance to decide if it truly is the future cult classic its fans proclaim.
