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Driveways (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Driveways (2020) movie poster

Driveways is a 2020 drama directed by Andrew Ahn, starring Hong Chau as Kathy, Lucas Jaye and Brian Dennehy. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
99%
award won
1
Echo Score
85
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Driveways (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Andrew Ahn
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
FilmRise
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Driveways About?

The premise of Driveways without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A mother, Kathy, and her reserved son, Cody, move into a new home and find an unexpected connection with their neighbor, Del. Throughout the summer, Del's guidance helps Cody gain confidence and encourages him to embrace new experiences. Meanwhile, Kathy grapples with her sister's complicated history, ultimately finding solace and a renewed sense of belonging as she strengthens her relationship with her son.

Driveways Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • miller genuine draft beer
  • friendship
  • dome magnifier
  • korean war veteran
  • bingo
  • mother son relationship
  • cleaning a house
  • sitting on a porch
  • supermarket
  • death of sister
  • single mother
  • watching wrestling on tv
+38 more
  • firecracker
  • roller skating rink
  • blowing out candles on a birthday cake
  • birthday party
  • birthday party invitation
  • woman wears a party hat
  • party hat
  • 9th birthday
  • vfw
  • camouflage shirt
  • birthday cake
  • crying in a car
  • dumpster
  • sitting on stairs
  • hugging one's friend
  • aunt nephew relationship
  • death of aunt
  • neighbor neighbor relationship
  • old man
  • cigarette smoking
  • food
  • eating
  • restaurant
  • backpack
  • prologue
  • boy jumps on a bed
  • computer
  • jumping on a bed
  • earphones
  • swimming pool
  • cell phone
  • boy wears goggles
  • woman with a pierced nose
  • sister sister relationship
  • no electricity
  • loneliness
  • looking in a window
  • motel
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Cast & crew

Driveways Cast & Characters

Hong Chau leads the cast as Kathy, with Lucas Jaye as Cody and Brian Dennehy as Del. Directed by Andrew Ahn; 16 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Andrew Ahn

More films directed by Andrew Ahn, best-rated first: The Wedding Banquet, Fire Island, Spa Night and 30/30 Vision: Three Decades of Strand Releasing.

Full filmography
Ratings

Driveways Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Driveways 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

85 /100

Driveways Echo Score Breakdown

Driveways distinguishes itself through a restrained yet resonant emotional narrative supported by cohesive performances and understated direction. Critics note that its unhurried pacing and quiet moments leave a lasting impact despite minimal plot developments. User reactions emphasize the tender chemistry between characters and Brian Dennehy’s nuanced portrayal. The film’s modest production design and precise editing further reinforce its gentle atmosphere. Overall, Driveways offers a quietly powerful viewing experience that lingers after completion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Driveways employs a subtly expressive visual language through measured direction and intimate cinematography. The restrained production design emphasizes everyday environments, while precise editing allows quiet moments to resonate. Reviews highlight the film’s elegant compositions and seamless transitions between scenes. Overall, these choices establish a unified aesthetic that supports the narrative’s gentle tone.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film excels in crafting deeply resonant interpersonal dynamics. Performances, particularly Brian Dennehy’s, are praised for their nuance and authenticity. The evolving bond among the protagonists conveys genuine warmth, as subtle dialogue and thoughtful pacing allow emotional beats to unfold naturally. Overall, character interactions form the emotional core that anchors the story.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, Driveways adopts a deliberately measured pace that prioritizes mood over narrative complexity. Critics observe that the plot unfolds gently, with minimal dramatic turns, yet remains engaging through its emotional subtleties. Some note that familiar themes receive unconventional treatment, though a few narrative elements feel underdeveloped. Overall, the film sustains interest through its quiet momentum and thematic consistency.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers an understated auditory and visual atmosphere that complements its reflective tone. The soundtrack and ambient sound design remain unobtrusive, allowing moments of silence to amplify emotional resonance. The visual style favors naturalistic lighting and muted color palettes, reinforcing the narrative’s gentle mood. Overall, the sensory elements cohere to create an immersive, contemplative viewing environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    As for rewatch factor, Driveways offers modest replay value grounded in its emotional warmth and nuanced performances. The film’s subtle storytelling and understated moments may reveal additional layers on subsequent viewings. However, its gentle pace and minimalist plot structure could limit appeal for audiences seeking more dynamic narratives. Overall, it maintains a moderate rewatch potential through its character-driven emotional depth.

Plot

Driveways Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Driveways from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Late one summer night in a quiet upstate New York neighborhood, Kathy, [Hong Chau], and her son Cody, [Lucas Jaye], pull up to a dark house with sleeping bags in tow. The power is out, so they head to a nearby motel. Del, [Brian Dennehy], an elderly widower who lives next door, watches from his upstairs window.

The next morning, Kathy calls the electric utility to restore power to her recently deceased sister April’s house; she intends to pack it up and sell it. She learns that April owed the electric company $900. Back at the house, they realize April was a hoarder.

Full summary

The whole story of Driveways, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Awards

Driveways Awards & Nominations

Driveways won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020.

1 win2 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Driveways Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 5 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Driveways - Official Trailer
  • Clip
  • Featurette Andrew Ahn on Driveways at Tribeca Film Festival 2019 premiere - interview
  • Featurette Brian Dennehy on Driveways at Tribeca Film Festival 2019 premiere - interview
  • Featurette Christine Ebersole on Driveways at Tribeca Film Festival 2019 premiere - interview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Driveways?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the elderly widower who lives next door?

Details

Driveways Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Auffahrten” and “車道”.

Also known as
  • Auffahrten
  • 車道
  • Подъезды
  • 车道
  • 드라이브웨이
  • Driveways: Uma Amizade Inesperada
  • Yollar
  • El verano de Cody
  • בדרך שלהם
  • Podjazdy
  • Příjezdové cesty
  • 心靈車道(暫譯)
+1 more
  • Alei

Seen Driveways?

FAQ

Driveways FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Driveways, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Driveways?

Driveways runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Driveways released?

Driveways was released on May 7, 2020.

Who directed Driveways?

Driveways was directed by Andrew Ahn.

More films by Andrew Ahn

Who is in the cast of Driveways?

Driveways stars Hong Chau as Kathy, Lucas Jaye as Cody and Brian Dennehy as Del, among 16 credited actors.

How is Driveways rated?

Driveways has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

What awards did Driveways win?

Driveways won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020.

Does Driveways have a post-credit scene?

No. Driveways has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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