The Driver

The Driver

Year: 1978

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Walter Hill

ActionThrillerCrime

A skilled getaway driver finds his carefully constructed world unraveling when a heist goes horribly wrong. Forced to confront a ruthless criminal underworld, he must rely on his driving expertise and a strict moral code to survive. As the stakes escalate, loyalty and trust become increasingly difficult to maintain, and the consequences of his actions threaten to consume everything he holds dear.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Driver yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

The Driver (1978) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Driver (1978) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the neon‑slick streets of a city that never truly sleeps, The Driver moves like a ghost through traffic, his hands as precise on the wheel as a surgeon’s on a scalpel. He has built a quiet life on the edge of legality, guided by an almost ritualistic sense of honor that keeps his world tidy and his conscience clear. The urban landscape—rain‑slick avenues, shadowed parking structures, and the perpetual hum of engines—acts as both playground and battlefield for his unspoken pact with speed and silence.

The Player, a poised figure who navigates high‑stakes environments with equal parts poise and calculation, crosses paths with him in the most ordinary of settings, hinting at a deeper, unspoken connection. Their interactions are threaded with a magnetic tension, each recognizing the other’s mastery of a different kind of risk. While she commands the cool certainty of a casino table, she is drawn into the peripheral orbit of the driver’s disciplined world, where loyalty is measured in silent nods and unbreakable codes.

Detective, a seasoned investigator whose patience is matched only by his determination, senses that the driver’s neatly assembled existence is on the brink of unraveling. He moves through the underbelly of the city with a methodical intensity, aware that every calculated maneuver the driver makes could be the thread that unravels a larger, more ruthless criminal tapestry. The tension between a steadfast moral compass and the encroaching shadows of the underworld creates a palpable atmosphere of impending conflict.

Together, these characters inhabit a world where every turn of the wheel could tip the balance between control and chaos. The film’s tone is sleek yet gritty, balancing the cool, methodical precision of a seasoned professional with the raw, unpredictable energy of a city that constantly tests the limits of trust and loyalty. As the driver’s carefully crafted reality begins to tremble, the audience is left to wonder how far he will go to preserve the code that defines him, and what price the underworld will exact when those walls finally come down.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:14

Unlock the Full Story of The Driver

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Driver 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 The Driver is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Driver Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Driver, 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.

The Driver Summary

The Driver Timeline

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

The Driver Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Driver

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Driver. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Driver

More About The Driver

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Driver: 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 The Driver

Similar Movies to The Driver

Discover movies like The Driver that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.