Jon Bernthal has built a career on intensity. From his bone-crunching turn as Marvel's Punisher to his layered work in The Accountant 2, he's known for bringing a raw, physical presence to every role. But in Edgar Wright's 2017 heist thriller Baby Driver, now streaming on Paramount+, Bernthal does something unexpected: he dials it down. As Griff, a seasoned criminal and the crew's security specialist, he delivers a performance that's quiet, calculating, and utterly compelling—a masterclass in minimalism that proves sometimes less is more.
A High-Octane Crime Story with a Retro Soul
Directed by Edgar Wright, Baby Driver stars Ansel Elgort as Baby, a gifted getaway driver who uses music to sync his moves. He works for Doc (Kevin Spacey), a meticulous crime boss, but dreams of escaping the life after falling for waitress Debora (Lily James). As the jobs get riskier and the crew more volatile, Baby's plan to break free spirals into a deadly game of survival.
The film was a box office hit, grossing $227 million against a $34 million budget, and solidified Wright's reputation as a director who could seamlessly blend indie charm with blockbuster spectacle. It also wears its influences proudly—drawing from classics like Vanishing Point, Heat, and Point Break—while still feeling fresh and inventive. The result is a modern action classic that's as much a love letter to cinema as it is a thrill ride.
Bernthal's Research-Backed Performance
What makes Bernthal's Griff stand out is the thought behind every gesture. In a film filled with larger-than-life performances—Jamie Foxx's unhinged Bats, Jon Hamm and Eiza Gonzalez's Bonnie-and-Clyde duo—Bernthal's restraint is striking. He plays Griff as a man who's always scanning, always assessing, and his quiet intensity becomes more crucial as the story unfolds.
That authenticity wasn't accidental. Bernthal told FilmInk that he spoke with real career criminals to understand their mindset. "There's a misconception that to be criminal is to be uneducated or untalented," he said. "In the criminal world, people run the full gamut." That research paid off, giving Griff a lived-in quality that elevates every scene he's in.
Why You Should Revisit It Now
Almost a decade later, Bernthal is a household name, but Baby Driver remains a standout in his filmography. It's a chance to see him in a supporting role that's no less memorable than his leading turns. For fans of action movies that redefine the genre, this is essential viewing. And if you're hungry for more Bernthal, check out his acclaimed work in We Own This City, another underrated gem.
With its killer soundtrack, breathtaking car chases, and a cast firing on all cylinders, Baby Driver is a start-to-finish masterpiece. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, it's the perfect pick for a movie night. And with 2026's most anticipated action films on the horizon, there's no better time to revisit a modern classic.
