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Entertainment • Film

Baby Driver

Baby Driver is a 2017 American action film written and directed by Edgar Wright.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Baby Driver is a 2017 American action film written and directed by Edgar Wright. It stars Ansel Elgort as Baby, a young getaway driver who wants to leave crime behind after falling in love with Debora. The film is known for its music-driven action, car chases, and ensemble cast.

Plot

The story follows Baby, a skilled getaway driver who works for a crime boss to pay off a debt. He hopes to escape criminal life after meeting Debora, but a final heist puts his freedom and relationships at risk.

Production

Baby Driver was written and directed by Edgar Wright and produced with major studio backing from companies including Working Title Films and Big Talk Productions. The film was developed as a stylish action thriller with extensive emphasis on practical driving sequences and music timing.

Release and reception

The film premiered in 2017 and received a wide theatrical release in North America. It was commercially successful and attracted attention for its style, editing, soundtrack, and action choreography.

Themes and style

The film combines crime drama with action and musical timing, using Baby’s soundtrack as a narrative and stylistic device. Its editing and car chases are designed to move in rhythm with the music.

Key facts

  • Baby Driver centres on a young getaway driver who uses music to manage tinnitus and time his driving.
  • The film was written and directed by Edgar Wright.
  • It features an ensemble cast including Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal.
  • The action sequences are closely synchronized with music, a defining feature of the film.
  • The film was a commercial success and received Oscar nominations for sound editing and sound mixing.
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Canadian context

Baby Driver was widely distributed internationally, including in Canada, and is part of the mainstream Hollywood film market familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Baby Driver about?
It follows Baby, a young getaway driver who tries to leave a life of crime after falling in love, but is drawn into one last dangerous heist.
Who directed Baby Driver?
Baby Driver was written and directed by Edgar Wright.
Who plays Baby?
Ansel Elgort plays the title character, Baby.
What genre is Baby Driver?
It is generally classified as an action film with crime, drama, and thriller elements.
When was Baby Driver released?
It was released in 2017.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Driver
    Supports: Basic identification of the film, year, director, cast, and premise.
  2. AllMovie — https://www.allmovie.com/movie/baby-driver-am130222
    Supports: Director, premise, production companies, and distribution information.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baby_driver
    Supports: Genre, release timing, runtime, synopsis, and production/distributor details.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3890160/
    Supports: Runtime, release year, director, cast, and genre classification.