Cody Ashford’s Drive Back is a 2024 horror-thriller that dares to explore the psychological and supernatural realms, blending suspense, dread, and existential terror into a compact yet ambitious narrative. Released in November, the film quickly gained traction among indie horror fans for its eerie premise and unsettling execution. While it offers plenty of tension and memorable moments, Drive Back struggles to fully deliver on its potential due to uneven storytelling and underdeveloped themes.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Reid (Zack Gold), a struggling comic book artist, and his fiancée Olivia (Whit Kunschik), who is pregnant with their first child. The couple is returning home after celebrating their engagement at a secluded cabin in the woods. Their relationship is strained, with unresolved conflicts simmering beneath the surface.

Things take a dark turn when their car narrowly avoids an accident on a deserted road. Stranded in unfamiliar territory, Reid and Olivia seek help at a nearby convenience store, where an eccentric clerk cryptically advises them to take a shortcut through the woods. Against their better judgment, they follow his directions and soon find themselves trapped on an endless road that defies logic and time itself.

As they drive in circles, strange occurrences begin to unravel their sense of reality. They encounter ominous hitchhikers, cryptic warnings from strangers, and chilling visions of violence that seem to bleed into their memories. To make matters worse, a masked killer begins stalking them, turning their surreal predicament into a deadly game of survival. As Reid and Olivia struggle to escape the nightmare, they are forced to confront not only external threats but also the buried secrets and fears that haunt their relationship.

Strengths

1. Atmosphere and Visuals

One of Drive Back’s standout qualities is its ability to create an oppressive atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge throughout its runtime. The cinematography captures the isolation of the endless road with haunting precision—dimly lit forests, foggy highways, and shadowy figures lurking in the background all contribute to the film’s unsettling tone. The sound design is equally effective, using eerie ambient noises and sudden bursts of discordant music to heighten tension.

2. Performances

Zack Gold delivers a compelling performance as Reid, portraying a man grappling with guilt, fear, and frustration as his grip on reality starts to slip. Whit Kunschik shines as Olivia, balancing vulnerability with resilience as she fights to protect herself and her unborn child. The chemistry between the two leads feels authentic, making their emotional struggles resonate even amidst the chaos of their situation.

3. Pacing in Key Moments

Once the supernatural elements are introduced, Drive Back maintains a brisk pace that keeps viewers engaged. The film’s second act is packed with suspenseful encounters—from eerie hitchhikers who seem to know too much about Reid’s past to violent confrontations with the masked killer—that ensure there’s never a dull moment.

4. Intriguing Concept

The idea of being trapped on an endless road where time loops and reality distorts is undeniably compelling. It evokes comparisons to classic psychological horror like The Twilight Zone or films such as Triangle (2009). The surreal nature of the couple’s predicament raises intriguing questions about fate, memory, and guilt—though these themes are only partially explored.

Weaknesses

1. Disjointed Narrative

While Drive Back sets up an intriguing premise, its execution leaves much to be desired in terms of narrative coherence. The mechanics behind the supernatural trap are never fully explained, leaving viewers with more questions than answers by the end of the film. While ambiguity can work in horror when handled well (The Witch, Hereditary), here it feels more like missed opportunities than intentional mystery.

2. Repetition

Certain scenes feel repetitive and unnecessarily drawn out—particularly moments where Reid and Olivia argue or reflect on their relationship woes. While these interactions are meant to add emotional depth, they often feel redundant and detract from the tension rather than enhancing it.

3. Frustrating Character Decisions

One common pitfall in horror films is characters making illogical choices that put them in danger—and unfortunately, Drive Back falls victim to this trope more than once. Reid’s stubbornness and impulsive actions often feel contrived rather than organic, which can be frustrating for viewers who expect more grounded behavior from protagonists in dire situations.

4. Underdeveloped Themes

The film hints at deeper themes—such as guilt over past mistakes, fear of impending parenthood, and the fragility of human relationships—but fails to explore them in meaningful ways. These thematic threads remain largely surface-level, leaving viewers yearning for greater emotional resonance.

Final Thoughts

Cody Ashford’s Drive Back is a mixed bag—a horror-thriller that excels in creating tension but falters when it comes to delivering a cohesive narrative or exploring its themes in depth. Its atmospheric visuals and strong performances make it worth watching for fans of psychological horror or surreal storytelling, but its lack of clarity may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied.

For genre enthusiasts who appreciate films that prioritize mood over answers—or those who enjoy stories reminiscent of The Twilight Zone—Drive Back offers enough chills and thrills to warrant a viewing. However, if you’re looking for a tightly written story with satisfying resolutions or profound commentary on human nature, this might not be your best bet.

Ultimately, Drive Back feels like a movie that could have been great but settles for being merely good—a solid effort that leaves room for improvement in future projects from Cody Ashford.

Rating: 4/5

Ending Explained: What Happened on That Endless Road? (Spoiler Warning)

Drive Back (2024) is the kind of psychological horror film that leaves viewers disturbed, intrigued, and scrambling for answers. With its eerie atmosphere, time-warping forest road, and cryptic ending, it’s no surprise the final scenes sparked dozens of fan theories.

In this breakdown, we’ll explain the key plot points, analyze the ending, and explore what Drive Back might really be about.

Recap: What Is Drive Back About?

The story follows Reid and Olivia, a newly engaged couple driving home late at night after a celebration. A wrong turn—suggested by a strange old woman—leads them onto a shadowy back road in the woods. What starts as a shortcut turns into a nightmare: the road loops endlessly, cell service is gone, and an ominous masked figure begins stalking them.

As time distorts and their surroundings grow increasingly surreal, secrets between Reid and Olivia begin to unravel—most notably Olivia’s past betrayal. The forest seems to feed on their emotional instability, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

The Ending: A Daughter in the Woods

In the final act, Reid wakes up alone and believes Olivia has died. He stumbles upon a young girl with a distinctive facial scar who cryptically calls him “Dad.” She leads him deeper into the woods before vanishing.

The film ends with Reid walking alone down the road once again—haunted, exhausted, and seemingly stuck in a never-ending loop.

What Does It All Mean?

Let’s explore the leading theories behind the film’s cryptic ending:

1. The Time Loop Is Real

Many viewers interpret Drive Back literally: Reid and Olivia are trapped in a supernatural time loop. The scarred girl could be their daughter, born and raised during a previous iteration of the loop. The idea that time works differently in this forest explains her existence and advanced age. This theory suggests the couple (or at least Reid) has been reliving this road for years without even realizing it.

2. A Metaphor for Toxic Relationships

Another popular theory is that the endless road symbolizes an emotionally abusive or toxic relationship. The looping drive, recurring fights, and inevitable breakdown all mirror the cyclical nature of unresolved conflict. In this reading, the scarred girl represents the emotional scars left on “future generations”—literal or metaphorical—by trauma that isn’t healed.

3. Reid’s Mental Collapse

There’s also a psychological explanation. Reid, struggling with the revelation of Olivia’s infidelity, may have suffered a complete mental break. Everything in the forest—the masked figure, the looping road, the ghostly child—could be his subconscious trying to process guilt, betrayal, and fear of the future. The forest becomes a dreamscape of unresolved emotions.

The Role of the Masked Man

A recurring presence in the film is the masked man who terrorizes the couple. His identity is never revealed, but his appearance changes slightly each time. Some viewers suggest he represents different versions of Reid himself—ones who’ve already failed to escape and now haunt the loop. Others think the figure is the embodiment of guilt or fate, keeping them trapped until they confront their truths.

Symbolism and Hidden Clues

• The Scarred Girl: Whether real or imagined, she’s the emotional culmination of Reid’s journey. Her scar could symbolize the damage done by the couple’s failure to heal.
• The Old Woman at the Gas Station: She might be a gatekeeper figure—someone who initiates the transition into the loop, knowingly or not.
• The Road: A classic metaphor for life’s path, made chilling by its endlessness. Here, it suggests being stuck emotionally or spiritually.

Final Thoughts: What Drive Back Is Really About

Drive Back doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it challenges the viewer to interpret its surreal horrors through their own lens. Whether you see it as a ghost story, a psychological breakdown, or an emotional metaphor, one thing is clear: the road is more than a setting—it’s a mirror. Some people never make it out.

What did you think of the ending? Do you believe Reid is still trapped, or is the girl a sign of hope? Let us know your theory in the comments.

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You can watch on: 

• Amazon

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