Olivia Colman’s acting and newcomer, Charlie Reid, in the film Joyride have been commended, but critics have picked at the storyline, which they believe has some flaws. The storyline and the direction are the focus of the criticism as to why the movie isn’t landing for some reviewers.

The film follows Colman’s character, Joy, as she tries to give her baby up for adoption and escape the country. Her plan is halted when she falls asleep, and her taxi is stolen by 12-year-old Mully (Reid). Once the mother in the backseat wakes up, she finds herself in the Irish countryside, baby still in hand. The film has been promoted as a coming-of-age comedy.

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The Rotten Tomatoes score is 46% without audience reviews, which could increase the numbers. Joyride opens in theaters Friday, December 23rd.

MovieWeb’s Matthew Mahler writes about an impressive performance from young Reid.

The Irish Independent’s Paul Whittington said:

“Reid does an incredible job here; if one didn’t know he’d gone to school for acting, one might think he was found off the street and hired for his similarity to the character, the way Robert Bresson, Pier Paolo Pasolini, or more recently, the Safdie brothers cast their films. Reid is entirely present in Joyride and altogether impressive — acting opposite Colman is intimidating enough, but he meets and matches her at every turn.”

However, critics are not the biggest fans of the storyline and direction of the film. The Guardian’s Wendy Ide said:

“There’s lots to like, particularly the suppressed emotion of Colman’s performance and the tireless exuberance of talented newcomer Reid.”

The New York Times believes the performances can not save the film. The Times, Jeannette Catsoulis said:

“Colman saves the picture, her thorny performance gradually revealing a well of pain.”

The Wrap’s Elizabeth Weitzman said:

“The two leads, however (Olivia Colman and Charlie Reid), sweat to sell the bejesus out of the material, fighting a wan and wobbly script (by Ailbhe Keogan) laden with Celtic clichés.”

The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey said:

“Just like its on-the-nose soundtrack, the rest of this Irish drama is as plain as day — with one exception. Why would Olivia Colman, a regular at Oscar and Emmy ceremonies and recipient of overall critical and audience adoration, waste her time with such a pandering project?”

“Documentarian Emer Reynolds’s first fiction feature is, regrettably, a textbook demonstration of how easily the dogged pursuit of sentimentality can insult those it intends to woo. In the process, it ignores the multifarious realities of womanhood by arguing that a reluctance to have children could just be a case of “first day at the office” nerves. Joyride isn’t anti-choice propaganda. But it does stray dangerously close.”

Joyride Opening Weekend Up Against Holiday Heavy Hitters

Joyride will open Friday against some competition including another Colman film, Empire of Light. Big box office numbers have already pulled in for Avatar: Way of the Water, and projections anticipate they will continue to increase. Moviegoers will have their choice of genres with everything from the Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, to the period film about Hollywood, Babylon, and Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale.Other films include The Pale Blue Eye, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Violent Night.

Many theaters are choosing to show some holiday classics. Regal Cinemas has scheduled Elf, Polar Express, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas screenings.

Audiences may also opt to stay in with plenty of streaming options available and released for those who have no desire to trade a couch for a theater seat. Streaming releases include Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, releasing on Netflix today, and Nanny, available on Prime there’s also the Hallmark Sister Swap combo which has resurfaced as a conversation piece this holiday season.