The Stunt Driver
Verdict: A warm, uneven true-story comedy that soars on Jay Baruchel’s vulnerable performance and period charm but never quite hits full speed.
Pros:
- Jay Baruchel’s layered turn as Ken Carter
- Strong chemistry between Baruchel and Ed Helms
- Authentic 1970s feel with real archival footage
Cons:
- Uneven pacing that sometimes feels slow
- Comedy and drama tones don’t always blend smoothly
About The Stunt Driver 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Stunt Driver |
| Directed by | Michael Dowse |
| Written by | Michael Dowse |
| Produced by | Jennifer Wilson, Michael Dowse, Macdara Kelleher, Eoin Egan |
| Cast | Jay Baruchel, Ed Helms, Ben Foster, Laurence Leboeuf, Dan Bakkedahl |
| Cinematography | Sara Mishara |
| Music by | Cristobal Tapia de Veer |
| Production Companies | Cardinal Films, Wild Atlantic Pictures |
| Release Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy, Biography, Drama |
| Censor Rating | R |
The Stunt Driver arrived in limited theaters on September 25, 2026, after its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It tells the real-life story of Canadian stuntman Ken Carter, better known as the Mad Canadian, and his ambitious plan in the 1970s to launch a rocket-powered car across the St. Lawrence River.
Jay Baruchel leads the cast as Carter, with Ed Helms as the engineer who designs the car, Ben Foster as rival Evel Knievel, and Laurence Leboeuf as Carter’s partner Gloria. Early audience chatter on X and review platforms shows a mixed but generally warm response. Many viewers praise the lead performance and the film’s heart, while others note it doesn’t always deliver the laughs or momentum they expected from a stunt comedy.
In simple terms, the story follows Carter as he chases fame and a place in history by attempting a mile-long jump that most people call impossible. He gathers a small team, battles money problems, personal doubts, and public skepticism while preparing the rocket car and a towering ramp. The film stays grounded in the real events and the documentary that inspired it, focusing more on the dreamer behind the stunts than pure spectacle.
On X, reactions have been honest and varied in the days since release. Many call out Baruchel’s work as a career highlight, noting how he balances bravado with real fear and insecurity so the character never feels like a cartoon. Fans also like the easy chemistry with Ed Helms and the way the movie mixes old documentary footage with new scenes for a lived-in 1970s look.
Common complaints focus on the slower stretches and the sense that the comedy doesn’t always land as hard as the emotional moments. Overall sentiment sits in the middle: people who connect with underdog stories and Canadian character pieces tend to enjoy it more, while those hoping for nonstop laughs or high-octane action feel it comes up a bit short.
If you like true-story films about stubborn dreamers, strong lead performances, and a mix of humor with quieter human moments, this one is worth catching in theaters while it’s playing. The period details and Baruchel’s work give it extra lift on the big screen. If you prefer faster comedies or bigger spectacle, waiting for streaming makes sense. The movie has clear strengths in its central performance and sincerity, but its weaker pacing and tonal shifts keep it from being a full home run.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
