6.3/10
24,610
110 user 160 critic

Cop Car (2015)

Trailer
2:01 | Trailer
A small-town sheriff sets out to find the two kids who have taken his car on a joy ride.

Director:

1 win & 4 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Bev
...
Man
Sean Hartley ...
Motorcycle Cop
...
Dispatch (voice)
Loi Nguyen ...
Waiter
Sit Lenh ...
Hostess
Chuck Kull ...
Officer #1
Thomas Coates ...
Officer #2
Kathleen Bentley ...
Trailer Park Lady
Justin Barr ...
Guy in Trailer Park
Adam Barr ...
Drunk at Intersection
Lily Heber ...
Dog
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Storyline

A pair of ten-year-olds find an abandoned cop car in a field. When they take it for a joyride, it seems like they could kill themselves at any moment. But things only get worse when the small town sheriff goes looking for his missing car. The kids find themselves in the center of a deadly game of cat and mouse they don't understand and the only way out is to go as fast as their cop car can take them.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Their first drive could be their last.

Genres:

Crime | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and brief drug use | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

| |  »

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

7 August 2015 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

A Viatura  »

Filming Locations:

 »

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Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,146, 9 August 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$128,002, 23 August 2015
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The piano part in the score was actually done by a thirteen year old boy, who's the composer's (Phil Mossman) son (Lucas Mossman). See more »

Goofs

When Travis figures out how to make the car go, he only moves the shift lever down once - which would be reverse - but the car goes forward when he then hits the accelerator. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Travis: [walking in an open field] Wiener.
Harrison: Wiener.
Travis: Boobs.
Harrison: Boobs.
Travis: Pussy.
Harrison: Pussy.
See more »

Connections

References MacGruber (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

Cop Car Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Phil Mossman
Performed by Phil Mossman
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User Reviews

 
Intriguing Indie Ride
1 January 2016 | by – See all my reviews

When two boys take an abandoned cop car for a joyride, a sheriff, played by Kevin Bacon, desperately attempts to get his car back by any means necessary. Jon Watts directed this indie thriller which is just now getting a wider release after receiving positive buzz at Sundance. Cop Car is a fun, intriguing ride that left me wishing there was more gas in this tank.

Cop Car has a simple premise that is executed very effectively. The story is interesting and raises fascinating questions early on. Once you begin connecting some of the dots, Cop Car turns into a more stereotypical thriller. However, the director Jon Watts has very unique visual style which distances Cop Car from the rest of the pack. There's beautiful cinematography and great suspense throughout the film. I'm very interested to see how Watts does with the upcoming Spider-Man movie.

James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford play the two boys who steal the cop car. The two kids are fine; they aren't great, but they aren't 'Episode I Anakin Skywalker' bad. The best part about these two kids is they act exactly how 10-year-olds would act while on this joyride. They play with guns found in the car and roll each other up with police tape. Seeing the kids' innocent mindsets juxtaposed with the sheriff's dark actions make for an interesting dynamic.

Speaking of the sheriff, Kevin Bacon is great in Cop Car. Bacon and his disgusting mustache take the story in dark directions in his attempt to get his car back. His presence adds the star power that the film deserves.

While the story is dark, there are some subtle moments of comedy sprinkled here and there. The dark comedy works well in breaking up the suspense just long enough for you to catch your breath.

Cop Car ends rather abruptly, which some might find uneasy. While I can appreciate the creative decision to end where it did and not have a 'Hollywood ending,' there were just too many questions left unanswered for my taste. This is one of the few movies I wish were longer than its current 90 minute runtime.

Cop Car is a very solid edition to the thriller genre due in large part to Bacon's performance, and Watts' direction. While slightly too ambiguous, there is enough suspense and intrigue to warrant a ride for yourself.

If you liked this review, check out more of my reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com


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