Dir. Sofie Somoroff

Screening at this year’s Etheria Film Festival, Sofie Somoroff’s short horror film Ride Baby Ride is almost a spiritual origin story of the John Carpenter directed movie adaptation of Stephen King’s possessed automobile terror Christine (1983). Celina Bernstein stars as a mechanic looking to purchase a 1978 Camaro, but unfortunately the sale comes with a nefarious exchange. Whilst working on the car back in the workshop, the mechanic discovers that her dream car is much more of a nightmare as she is attacked by the entity that is contained within. 

Ride Baby Ride subscribes to the ideology that when a great trauma occurs, it can leave an imprint on a place, whether it be a house, a community, or in this case, a car. The film opens with a common situation in which a woman is just attempting to exist in this world, and carry out a completely normal task (buying a car) which is then completely ruined by the actions of misogynistic and toxic men. This interaction then implants its memory onto the car, leaving the mechanic to face her trauma and the PTSD associated with it whilst working on the vehicle. The car becomes a symbol of not only the horror she has had to face, but also that of violence and misogyny experienced the world over. 

Bernstein’s nuanced performance is one that portrays a strength which comes from being a little bit broken, one which a majority of viewers are sure to find relatable. The acting and narration strays from being too exaggerated which treats the subtextual matter with much needed care, and with a ‘good for her’ conclusion in the final sequence proves that facing life’s demons will always lead to the best possible outcomes.

Ride Baby Ride is a retro ride from hell bringing a fresh take to the haunted subgenre of horror.