If, like us, you’ve been patiently waiting for Olivia Colman’s next big role (Pride and Prejudice, if you’re wondering), we’ve got a little something to fill the gap - and it goes by the name of Joyride. The superb Irish road-trip drama was first released in 2022 and, if you want to see Olivia at her best, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can watch it tonight on Netflix.
The road trip in question isn’t any old road trip; Mully (Charlie Reid) is the 12-year-old boy who steals a taxi without realising that Joy (Olivia Colman) and her newborn baby are in the back. But with both seeking refuge from seemingly helpless situations, the pair embark on an adventure across Ireland that sees them forge quite the unlikely friendship.
With Joyride now available to stream, here’s everything you need to know about the drama, including the plot, cast, trailer and how to watch it.
What is Joyride about?
The film follows 12-year-old Mully (Charlie Reid), whose mother passes away from a battle with cancer. Now, he’s left with only his father who’s in debt and callously steals money that was donated to a charity in honour of his late wife honour to pay it off.
After fleeing his father, Mully steals a taxi – but is it empty? Oh no. In the back are Joy (Olivia Colman) and her newborn baby who she’s quietly planning to give away to a friend. So begins an unexpected journey across Ireland that takes a middle-aged mother and a young adolescent on quite the emotional rollercoaster.
Olivia told Yours magazine of her role: ““I loved the character of Joy,” Olivia enthuses. “I couldn’t get her out of my head once I’d read the script. I loved how it was all put together. I loved the story and I really wanted to do it.
“Joy is a solicitor. She's very independent, quite fierce. You find out a bit about her upbringing and her possible lack of love from her mum. I think that's why she can't settle with anyone. I think it's all too hard. And partly why she doesn't want this baby is that she doesn't want to be as bad as her own mum was and she’s terrified of that.”
Who’s in the cast of Joyride?
- Olivia Colman as Joy
- Charlie Reid as Mully
- Lochlann O'Mearáin as James Mulligan
- Elaine Kennedy as Rita Mulligam
- Olwen Fouéré as Sideline Sue
- Florence Adebambo as Catherine
- Aislín McGuckin as Angela
- Tommy Tiernan as Ferryman
- Ruth McCabe as Noreen
- Aisling O'Sullivan as Mags
Is there a trailer for Joyride?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Joyride below:
Is Joyride any good?
Yes – if you fancy watching something genuinely heartwarming, Joyride is definitely worth a watch. The idea of a new mother road-tripping across Ireland with a teenager might seem like a recipe for disaster, but it actually makes for a moving, thought-provoking and, at times, very funny film. Olivia Colman also makes the whole thing even better of course.
How can I watch Joyride?
Joyride is available to watch now on Netflix.
What other Olivia Colman dramas can I watch now?
You’ll find an equally brilliant performance in The Lost Daughter. The film stars Olivia as Led, a mother whose holiday takes a strange turn when she becomes infatuated with a mother and daughter on the beach. You can watch The Lost Daughter on Netflix. For something that will really move you, we’d suggest The Father. Anthony Hopkins is 80-year-old Anthony who’s suffering from dementia and won’t accept the help his daughter Anne (Olivia) is desperately trying to give him. The Father is available to watch now on Prime Video.
