Fifteen years after their cult hit Goon, director Michael Dowse and actor Jay Baruchel are back together for a new project that's just as wild—and this time, it's based on a true story. The Stunt Driver, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, tells the incredible tale of Ken Carter, a Canadian daredevil often called the country's answer to Evel Knievel. The film blends raucous comedy with a poignant look at a man who chased his dreams to the very end.
Dowse, known for FUBAR, Goon, and The F Word, first encountered Carter's story through the 1981 documentary The Devil at Your Heels by Robert Fortier. That film captured Carter's ambitious plan to jump a rocket-powered Lincoln Continental across a mile-wide stretch of the St. Lawrence River. Dowse was immediately captivated. "I was blown away by the story and wanted to bring attention to it," he said during a Q&A at a special screening in Los Angeles.
The new film stars Baruchel as Carter, with Ed Helms and Ben Foster rounding out the cast. Foster plays none other than Evel Knievel himself, adding another layer of legend to the story. The film was shot on a shoestring budget in just 21 days, a challenge Dowse embraced. "I felt I had as much challenge as Ken did, except I didn't have to do the jump by any means," he joked.
One of the most striking aspects of The Stunt Driver is how it incorporates real archival footage from the documentary. Dowse explained that they used the original footage for many of the stunts and shots of the ramp, while also building their own scaled-down versions. "We built the ramp, we built our own version of the ramp, like a 60 ft version of the ramp. The real ramp was about 90 ft," he noted. This blend of documentary and narrative filmmaking gives the movie an authentic, gritty feel.
For Dowse, the appeal of Carter's story goes beyond the spectacle. "Once you get to know Ken and you research his story, you just fall in love with the guy," he said. "He's such a dreamer and he's so optimistic. You just want the guy to succeed, and he gets backstabbed. Anything that could go wrong did go wrong." That mix of humor and heart is what sets The Stunt Driver apart from typical biopics.
The film also marks a homecoming for Dowse, who grew up in Canada and has a deep connection to the country's storytelling. "When you screen it at TIFF, it helps if it's a Canadian-themed film, for sure," he said. "So it went over great." The premiere was a celebration of Canadian cinema, and audiences responded warmly to the film's blend of laughs and thrills.
Looking back at his career, Dowse has a few favorites he recommends to newcomers. "I think It's All Gone Pete Tong is a pretty interesting film," he said, referencing his 2004 movie about a DJ in Ibiza. "And Goon would probably be the other one, if you're a hockey fan." He also shared that Goon changed the most in the editing room, thanks to editor Brent White, who helped shape the film's structure.
The Stunt Driver is set to hit theaters on September 25, and it's already generating buzz as one of the fall's most entertaining surprises. Whether you're a fan of Baruchel's comedic chops or just love a good underdog story, this film delivers. For more on the making of the movie, check out our review of another recent comedy that also celebrates unlikely heroes.
As Dowse continues to explore stories of ambition and perseverance, The Stunt Driver stands as a testament to the power of dreaming big—even when the odds are stacked against you. It's a wild ride that audiences won't want to miss.
