Olivia Colman hits the road in “Joyride,” Emer Reynolds’ drama about a strangers who connect under unusual circumstances. Joy (Colman) is a middle-aged solicitor with a goal: to bring her infant daughter, Robin, to a friend who is taking custody of the baby. Her road trip takes an unexpected turn when the taxi she and the baby are riding in gets stolen by a 12-year-old grieving the loss of his mother. Not realizing that there are passengers aboard, Mully (Charlie Reid) hijacks the vehicle hoping to get some distance from his thieving father. He takes a pile of charity cash raised in his mother’s honor with him.
“Joyride” follows the unwilling mother and a beleaguered preteen fleeing a toxic home as the rogues forge a friendship on a road trip across Ireland.
In our exclusive clip of the film, tensions rise between the pair. Mully suggests that Joy is “an abuser” who is “just like” his dad. “I want you to fuck off and leave me alone,” he tells her.
Colman won an Oscar for “The Favourite.” She also received noms for “The Lost Daughter” and “The Father.”
Reynolds’ other credits include “The Farthest” and “Songs for While I’m Away.”
“Joyride” will be in theaters and available on VOD December 23. Ailbhe Keogan (“Run & Jump”) penned the script.