Driver Ed 2026 (Travis Milloy) Lasted Trick Productions Review
When I first queued up Driver Ed, I fully expected a movie about a traditional driving school. But that is not where this title is heading. In this indie thriller, the title refers directly to our protagonist: a rideshare driver named Ed. It is a prime example of the creative surprises you encounter when going into a movie completely blind.
Hopefully these guys leave a good tip.
Directed by Travis Milloy, Driver Ed follows the chronicles of Edward Clayton, an overly ambitious driver trying his hardest to make his rideshare trips memorable for his passengers—even if they are not quite matching his energy. The narrative stakes are raised significantly by an underlying suspense thread: a serial killer is actively targeting rideshare drivers in the area. The film comfortably carves out a niche for itself in the growing "rideshare horror" and mystery-thriller subgenres, sharing DNA with films like The Rideshare Killer, Ride Scare, and Sympathy for the Devil.
Edward Clayton is far from your typical driver. He treats his customers to exhaustive tourist trivia about Los Angeles and plies them with complimentary juice boxes and snacks. However, he takes his hospitality to the extreme and consistently fails to read the room. He often retreats home to vent about the lack of human connection to his only sounding board—his pet fish. While Edward's eccentric, obsessive nature risks becoming annoying, lead actor Anthony Casabianca successfully injects a grounded, working-man persona into the character. Because of this performance, you can genuinely relate to his social struggles.
Ed’s pet fish is his support and work buddy.
The rest of the story is kept tightly focused on a small chessboard of characters, ensuring the narrative dynamics never feel bogged down. Edward harbors a massive crush on his next-door neighbor, Nora (Fayna Sanchez), who is trapped in a toxic relationship with her partner, Gavin. Meanwhile, Rocco Hill delivers a standout performance as Clay, the mysterious killer. Loomis walks a brilliant line, keeping his cards close to his chest with a cool, composed demeanor that leaves his true motives completely unpredictable.
For a film that unfolds primarily within the confines of a car, the technical execution is highly impressive. The cinematography and editing are well up to the challenge, utilizing snappy quick cuts and sharp montage sequences to maintain a high-energy pace. The production design deserves equal praise, particularly regarding Edward's bedroom and his heavily modified vehicle. He essentially transforms his car into a spy vehicle, outfitting it with custom fabrications like a safety partition and knock-out gas.
If you see this guy, don’t give him a ride.
While audiences will anticipate that Edward and Clay’s paths are bound to collide, Milloy handles the intersection beautifully. He plays with audience expectations to deliver a genuinely tense, rewarding climax. Driver Ed is bursting with clever ideas; and though a few concepts could have been expanded even further, the film marches forward with total creative confidence. If you enjoy quirky character studies mixed with slow-burn suspense, this is a ride worth taking.
