Movie Profile: DRIVE ANGRY (2011)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Drive Angry (Drive Angry 3D) |
| Release Date | February 25, 2011 (USA) |
| Director | Patrick Lussier |
| Writers | Todd Farmer, Patrick Lussier |
| Genre | Supernatural Action, Thriller, Grindhouse |
| Runtime | 104 minutes |
| Budget | $50 million |
| Box Office | $39.2 million worldwide |
| Lead Cast |
• Nicolas Cage (John Milton) • Amber Heard (Piper) • William Fichtner (The Accountant) • Billy Burke (Jonah King) • David Morse (Webster) • Tom Atkins (Cap) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
John Milton (Nicolas Cage) is a dead man who literally escapes from Hell stealing Satan’s personal gun, the “Godkiller.” Milton returns to Earth on a fierce mission of vengeance: his daughter was murdered by a sadistic satanic cult leader named Jonah King (Billy Burke), who has now kidnapped Milton’s infant granddaughter. King plans to sacrifice the baby under a full moon to open the gates of Hell on Earth.
Along the way, Milton teams up with Piper (Amber Heard), a tough-talking diner waitress with a 1969 Dodge Charger. Together, they embark on a high-speed, explosive road trip across the American South to track down the cult before the night of the sacrifice.
However, Milton is pursued not only by local police and cult henchmen, but also by “The Accountant” (William Fichtner)—an enigmatic, suit-wearing operative sent directly by Satan to drag Milton back to Hell.
Key Themes & Cult Status
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Grindhouse & B-Movie Homage: The film embraces an over-the-top, 1970s exploitation cinema aesthetic—complete with muscle cars, relentless violence, leather jackets, and dark humor.
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Standout Performance by William Fichtner: While Nicolas Cage delivers his signature intense style, William Fichtner’s calm, charismatic, and witty performance as Satan’s Accountant received widespread praise from critics and fans alike.
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True 3D Filming: Unlike many early 2010s films that converted 2D footage post-production, Drive Angry was shot natively with Paradise FX 3D cameras to maximize the “in-your-face” theatrical experience.