Ride

Ride

Year: 2015

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Comedy

A driven mother, Jackie, embarks on a journey to reconnect with her son Angelo, who’s found himself on the California coast. Along the way, she meets a charismatic surf instructor who encourages her to embrace a more carefree approach to life. As Jackie tries to understand her son and rediscover her own youthful side, they both face challenges and learn to navigate changing circumstances together.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Ride (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ride (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

Set in the contemporary era, the film alternates between a bustling urban center and a relaxed coastal lifestyle. It foregrounds modern parenting pressures, identity search, and cross-country relocation within a recognizable, real-world setting. The momentum comes from everyday life and personal reinvention in a connected, present-day world.

Location

New York City, Santa Monica

The story moves between New York City's fast-paced publishing world and the sunlit, surf-focused town of Santa Monica. NYC is portrayed as the pressure-filled proving ground for Jackie’s career and Angelo’s early ambitions, while Santa Monica embodies freedom, laid-back rhythms, and a tight-knit surf community. The NYU dorms and a beachside California town serve as distinct backdrops for the evolving mother–son dynamic.

🏙️ Urban 🏖️ Beach culture

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:52

Main Characters – Ride (2015)

Meet the key characters of Ride (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jackie Durning (Helen Hunt)

A NYC editor and single mother who has groomed her son Angelo to be a writer. Her drive to control outcomes strains their relationship, even as she contemplantes a fresh start in California. Her arc centers on learning to let Angelo find his own path while she redefines her own life.

💼 Career-driven 🫶 Protective 🧭 Boundary-setting

Angelo Durning (Brenton Thwaites)

A young man torn between the NYC expectations his mother has pinned on him and a growing need for independence. He drops out of NYU and moves toward California to pursue surfing and a freer lifestyle, before eventually reaffirming his own academic path. His journey is a study in self-direction and resilience.

🏄️ Surf life 🧭 Self-discovery 🎯 Ambition

Ramon (Luke Wilson)

Jackie’s driver and loyal follower who tracks Angelo’s journey from NYC to California. He provides practical support, a cautious counterpoint to Angelo’s enthusiasm, and helps drive the pursuit of the boy’s new life. Ramon's role anchors the cross-country chase.

🚗 Road trip 🧭 Guidance 🤝 Loyalty

Ian (David Zayas)

A local surfer who teaches Jackie to ride the waves and becomes a casual romantic foil. He embodies the easygoing wisdom of the beach and offers Jackie support as she navigates a new lifestyle. His presence helps Jackie grow beyond her old role as sole editor of her son's life.

🏄‍♂️ Surf mentor 💘 Romance 🧭 Guidance

Peter (Robert Knepper)

Angelo’s father who lives in California with his pregnant second wife and their young daughter. His family setup highlights the competing loyalties and the different lives Angelo could lead. Peter’s presence underscores the complexity of choosing between two family worlds.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family dynamics 🏡 California life

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:52

Major Themes – Ride (2015)

Explore the central themes of Ride (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌊 Independence

Angelo rejects the NYC path his mother has mapped out and pursues a life on the West Coast where surfing becomes his identity. Jackie faces the need to redefine their relationship and to back off rather than control every choice. The surfing journey becomes a catalyst for personal growth for both of them.

👪 Family Boundaries

The film centers on the tension between protective parenting and a child's need for autonomy. Jackie's attempts to smother Angelo create conflict, prompting difficult conversations about space and trust. Through friction, they learn to respect each other's paths while staying connected.

🧭 Self-Discovery

The cross-country arc mirrors inner exploration as Jackie learns new skills and indulges in new relationships, while Angelo finds his voice and a plan for his future. Surfing symbolizes navigating life’s unpredictable waves and choosing one’s own direction. The finale hints at a healthier balance between attachment and independence.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:52

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet stories of letting go like in Ride

Stories about the painful but necessary process of releasing control and finding peace.For viewers who liked the emotional journey in Ride, this collection features movies with similar themes of releasing control and accepting change. These stories often explore parent-child dynamics, personal growth, and the bittersweet feeling of moving forward, perfect for fans of heartfelt, character-driven dramas.

bittersweetreflectivemelancholichopefulintrospectivesereneheartfelt

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically follows a protagonist, often a parent, who must confront their need for control. The journey involves facing a loss, clashing with a loved one's independence, and ultimately achieving a resolution that is hopeful yet tinged with the sadness of what was left behind. The endings are rarely purely happy, focusing instead on realistic, earned growth.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core emotional tone: a blend of melancholy and hope. They focus on medium-intensity interpersonal conflicts, feature steady, character-driven pacing, and resolve with a bittersweet feeling that acknowledges the pain of change while embracing the possibility of a new beginning.

Movies with serene settings for self-discovery like Ride

Character transformations set against calming, picturesque landscapes that mirror inner peace.If you enjoyed the calming California surf scenery in Ride, this list highlights other films where beautiful, tranquil locations play a key role in a character's journey. These movies blend scenic backdrops with stories of introspection and change, offering a visually soothing and emotionally resonant experience.

serenereflectivehopefulcontemplativepicturesquecalmintrospective

Narrative Summary

The narrative often follows a character escaping their ordinary life to a place of natural beauty. The slow, steady pace of the new environment forces introspection, leading to confrontations with past grief or current conflicts. The resolution is often linked to the character adopting a new, more peaceful outlook inspired by their surroundings.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their use of setting as a core component of the mood and narrative. They share a reflective, sometimes melancholic tone, complemented by steady pacing that allows the audience to absorb the atmosphere. The experience is medium in intensity, focusing on emotional revelation over high-stakes drama.

Unlock the Full Story of Ride

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ride in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ride is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ride Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ride, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ride Summary

Ride Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ride with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ride Timeline

Ride Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Ride? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Ride Ending Explained

Ride Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Ride that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Ride Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Ride

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Ride: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Ride