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What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

Drunk Bus (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Drunk Bus (2021) movie poster

Drunk Bus is a 2021 comedy drama directed by Brandon LaGanke and John Carlucci, starring Charlie Tahan as Michael, Pineapple Tangaroa and Sydney Farley. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
98%
Echo Score
65
Metascore
65
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Drunk Bus (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
FilmRise
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Drunk Bus About?

The premise of Drunk Bus without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a breakup, a young man named Michael finds his life thrown into disarray. Abandoned by his girlfriend, he struggles to define his future. His path unexpectedly intersects with Pineapple, an eccentric and influential individual. Through this encounter, Michael is forced to confront his values and reconsider the direction his life has taken, ultimately leading him on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected growth.

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Cast & crew

Drunk Bus Cast & Characters

Charlie Tahan leads the cast as Michael, with Pineapple Tangaroa as Pineapple and Sydney Farley as Night Tara. Directed by Brandon LaGanke and John Carlucci; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Drunk Bus Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Drunk Bus 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

65 /100

Drunk Bus Echo Score Breakdown

Drunk Bus delivers a warm, if familiar, college comedy that leans on solid performances and good‑natured humor. Critics highlight its heartfelt tone and occasional originality, while noting a derivative plot and modest visual ambition. Audience reactions echo this blend, praising the lead actor and overall enjoyability but mentioning uneven moments. The film positions itself as an agreeable, moderately entertaining outing rather than a breakthrough work.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents competent direction and a comfortable visual style without pushing boundaries. Reviews note the direction as serviceable and the production design as suitably nostalgic, but also describe the cinematography as unadventurous. The editing maintains a steady pace though some critics call the overall execution a bit bland. Consequently, the craftsmanship is solid yet unspectacular.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the cast delivers believable performances that anchor the story. Critics commend Charlie Tahan's turn and the central romantic dynamic, while a user mentions moments of disjointed acting. Overall, the characters are engaging enough to generate empathy, even if occasional inconsistencies arise. The net impression is a positive assessment of the film’s acting and emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Story and flow receive mixed feedback, with praise for the film’s coming‑of‑age premise and its humorous take on college life. Some reviewers appreciate the nostalgic vibe, yet many point to a derivative plot, uneven pacing, and a reliance on familiar tropes. The narrative is generally coherent but lacks distinct originality, resulting in an overall moderate evaluation of the storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience is addressed only lightly in the commentary, with few references to soundtrack or visual flair. Critics describe the atmosphere as cozy and familiar, implying a modest sound design and visual palette. The lack of notable sensory highlights suggests an average execution in this area, leading to a middle‑range score.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch factor is viewed positively due to the film’s good‑natured humor and heartwarming moments that reward repeat viewings. Reviewers find the comedy enjoyable and the cast charming enough to warrant another look, though the familiar formula may limit lasting appeal for some. Overall, the film offers sufficient replay value to merit a higher-than‑average rewatch rating.

Plot

Drunk Bus Plot Summary

What happens in Drunk Bus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As a recent college graduate, Michael finds himself in a frustrating situation, navigating the mundane world of public transportation as he becomes the driver of the infamous “drunk bus” for a lively party school in Ohio. His dreams of becoming a photographer feel perpetually out of reach, serving as a daily reminder of his unrealized potential. Night after night, Michael is tasked with transporting rowdy students back to their dorms, all while the energetic pulse of endless parties reverberates through the town.

Full summary

The whole story of Drunk Bus, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Drunk Bus Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Drunk Bus.

DRUNK BUS - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Drunk Bus?

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 Michael's dream profession?

Details

Drunk Bus Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “醉司机” and “巴士醉了”.

Also known as
  • 醉司机
  • 巴士醉了
  • Пьяный автобус

Seen Drunk Bus?

FAQ

Drunk Bus FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Drunk Bus?

Drunk Bus runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Drunk Bus released?

Drunk Bus was released on May 21, 2021.

Who directed Drunk Bus?

Drunk Bus was directed by Brandon LaGanke and John Carlucci.

More films by Brandon LaGanke

Who is in the cast of Drunk Bus?

Drunk Bus stars Charlie Tahan as Michael, Pineapple Tangaroa as Pineapple and Sydney Farley as Night Tara, among 14 credited actors.

How is Drunk Bus rated?

Drunk Bus has 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic, 55% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Drunk Bus have a post-credit scene?

No. Drunk Bus has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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