Olivia Colman’s ‘heartwarming’ Irish comedy-drama is on TV tonight

Starring an Oscar winner, the film is also available on streaming.

Written by Ailbhe Keogan (Trespasses) and directed by Emer Reynolds (The Farthest), the movie is about a pre-teen boy in Kerry named Mully (Charlie Reid) who flees from his father and steals a taxi.

After doing this, he is shocked to find a woman named Joy (Colman) in the back seat of the car with a baby.

"Joy has decided to give her child away to a friend, and Mully needs some distance from his debt-ridden dad, who’s after the cash Mully has with him," the plot synopsis adds.

"And so two lovable rogues - a complicated middle-aged mother and a troubled adolescent - go on a journey across Ireland, gradually finding in each other the friendship, love and learning they never knew they needed."

Watch the trailer for Joyride right here:

Also featuring recognisable Irish actors like David Pearse (Bodkin), Lochlann O'Mearáin (Smother), Olwen Fouéré (The Watched) and Tommy Tiernan (Derry Girls), Joyride earned mixed reviews upon release. Some critics called it "heartwarming" while others deemed it predictable and far-fetched.

That said, the comedy-drama got a second life when it was added to streaming. Many viewers have taken to social media to praise the Irish film for its heartfelt story, as well as for Colman and Reid's performances.

One X poster called the movie "tender, funny and warm".

Joyride is airing on TV tonight on RTÉ2 at 9.35pm. It is also currently streaming on Prime Video.

Joyride is such a gorgeous wee Irish filum. Starring the always magnificent Olivia Colman. However, the standout performance here comes from young Charlie Reid. Wonderful!

— Jason Reid (@JasonReidUK) August 5, 2024

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight (Friday, 6 November):

If you want more movie-on-TV recommendations like Joyride, click here for JOE's list of all the films on TV this week.