Posted 9/25/2026
Written and directed by Michael Dowse, The Stunt Driver is a raucous yet heartfelt 2026 biographical comedy-drama that blends 1970s counterculture with the absurd, high-stakes world of extreme daredevils. The story follows real-life Canadian stuntman Ken Carter, famously known as "The Mad Canadian," as he operates in the massive shadow of international thrill-seeking superstar Evel Knievel.
Driven by an obsessive, relentless ambition to cement his own legacy, Carter devises the most dangerous scheme of his career: building a custom rocket-powered car to launch an astonishing mile-wide expanse across the St. Lawrence River. The straightforward madness of the assignment quickly goes off the rails. Carter teams up with a quirky rocket-car inventor and a dedicated crew to document his death-defying pursuit, but the project is plagued by technical hurdles, financial strain, public doubt, and intense psychological pressure.
Rather than a glossy, traditional action movie, the film leans into a freewheeling, character-driven tone that captures the humorous, chaotic, and working-class grit required to chase an impossible dream on the absolute edge of sanity. The film features a colorful, eccentric ensemble cast. Jay Baruchel stars as Ken Carter, capturing the complex mix of bravado and hidden insecurities beneath the surface. Ben Foster plays his American rival, the legendary Evel Knievel, while Ed Helms portrays Dick Keller, the eccentric rocket-car designer. The supporting cast also features Laurence Leboeuf as Carter's steadfast partner Gloria and Dan Bakkedahl as Bill Wilkins.
Leaning into a dry, eccentric look at 1970s celebrity culture and adrenaline-fueled obsession, The Stunt Driver uses its fast-paced picaresque structure to highlight how ordinary people cope when they push past the boundaries of safety and common sense just to be remembered.
