Watch Thrill Ride

Thrill Ride (2016) is a coming-of-age adventure comedy film directed by Chris Parrish, starring Kristen Johnston, Lucas Jade Zumann and Helen Sadler in lead roles. The movie takes you on a wild ride that explores the complexities of family, love, and the thrills of adolescence. The story follows the journey of three teens: Cassie, her younger brother Kevin, and Sam, a new friend they meet on a summer vacation. Cassie, played by Helen Sadler, is a teenage girl who is trying to navigate the ups and downs of being a teenager while dealing with the recent death of her father. Her younger brother Kevin, played by Lucas Jade Zumann, is a typical adolescent boy who is more interested in video games than his sister's worry about their family's financial struggles. Sam, played by charming newcomer Tim Kazurinsky, is the new neighbor boy who is sweet but also a bit strange since he lives in a dilapidated old carnival ride.

After discovering Sam's unique living situation, Cassie and Kevin join him in exploring the abandoned amusement park. The trio of adventurers get into a series of scrapes that would make a health and safety inspector furious: they play with dangerous machinery and go places where anyone with an ounce of common sense would avoid. Along the way, they encounter the manager of the amusement park, played with gusto by Kristin Johnston. She doesn't want anyone to come onto the property, but the kids are determined to get to the bottom of Sam's story.

As the story unfolds, we see that Thrill Ride is not just about the wild shenanigans of adolescence but also a touching portrait of what it means to be a family. While the kids' parents are dealing with a recent divorce and financial insecurity, the three friends take matters into their own hands, channeling their energy into exploring the abandoned theme park. They take on the challenge of fixing up a defunct ride and bringing it back to life.

The movie is more than just a light-hearted adventure, as it also delves into the emotional struggles that come with growing up. Cassie and Kevin are trying to come to terms with their father's death, while Sam is dealing with the emotional baggage of his father's neglect. Through their adventures together, they find a sense of closure and belonging. They discover that while things might not always go according to plan, they can rely on each other to create their own happy ending.

The acting in Thrill Ride is understated but effective. Helen Sadler and Lucas Jade Zumann deliver well-rounded performances as Cassie and Kevin, respectively. They embody the confusion and vulnerability of adolescence, but also the determination to create something out of nothing. As the enigmatic Sam, Tim Kazurinsky injects the right amount of sincerity and humor into his character. Kristin Johnston as the gruff amusement park manager adds a touch of humor to the story, acting as the comedic foil to the kids' hijinks.

The movie sits nicely in the adventure-comedy genre, and the storyline is engaging enough to keep viewers entertained. The direction by Chris Parrish captures the youthful exuberance of the characters, and the cinematography by Matt Dollings gives the film its gritty yet endearing look. The soundtrack does a great job of complementing the on-screen action, with an eclectic mix of music that captures the youthfulness and excitement of the characters.

Overall, Thrill Ride is a fun-filled movie that manages to balance the folly of adolescence with the emotional challenges of growing up. It is a movie about friendship, family, and the exhilaration of taking chances. While it may not be an award contender or a box-office hit, it is a movie that will appeal to anyone who loves a good adventure with equal measures of humor and heart.

Thrill Ride is a 2017 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.