A harrowing descent into moral ambiguity and urban despair, Self Driver—a Canadian indie thriller drawing comparisons to Taxi Driver, Black Mirror, Cheap Thrills, and Good Time—is set to hit VOD platforms on May 8, distributed by Cinephobia Releasing.
Marking the feature debut of writer-director Michael Pierro, Self Driver follows a desperate cab driver who, burdened by rising debts and the suffocating pressure of modern life, stumbles upon a mysterious gig-economy app that offers easy money—but at a high cost. As his first night spirals into chaos, he is drawn into the seedy underworld of the city, forced to confront the limits of his morality and the illusion of free will.
What begins as a seemingly simple job quickly evolves into a psychological and ethical nightmare. The core tension of the film shifts from profit to principle, asking: how far would someone go when they have nothing left to lose?
Led by Nathanael Chadwick, the cast also features Catt Filippov, Reece Presley (In a Violent Nature), and Lauren Welchner. The film has already made waves on the festival circuit, screening at genre powerhouses including Fantaspoa, Fantasia, Grimmfest, and Panic Fest.
“I’m beyond excited to be working with Cinephobia Releasing to bring Self Driver to American audiences,” said Pierro. “The film was a passion project, built with a guerrilla spirit from the ground up. It’s a true joy to collaborate with people who share our love for independent cinema.”
Cinephobia Releasing President Raymond Murray echoed the enthusiasm, saying, “Michael Pierro’s boldly creative thriller captivated me like few films do. Cinephobia is thrilled to bring this daring film to viewers in the U.S.”
Tense, raw, and thought-provoking, Self Driver positions itself as a standout entry in the growing canon of modern morality thrillers.
