You’re probably looking for that specific indie charm that only Olivia Colman can deliver, but finding joyride where to watch is actually a bit of a headache depending on where you're sitting right now. It’s one of those films. You know the type. It’s not a massive Marvel blockbuster that stays glued to Disney+ for eternity. Instead, it’s a scrappy, foul-mouthed, heartfelt Irish road movie that seems to hop between streaming services like a hitchhiker.
Directed by Emer Reynolds, this 2022 flick follows Joy (Colman), a woman ready to give away her newborn baby, and Mully (Charlie Reid), a cheeky lad who steals a taxi—with Joy and the baby in the back. It’s chaotic. It’s messy. It’s very Irish. But if you’re trying to stream it tonight, you need to know that the "where" depends entirely on your regional licensing.
Finding Joyride: Where to Watch on Major Platforms
If you are in the United States, your best bet is usually Hulu. Since it’s a Magnolia Pictures release in the States, it often lives there or on the Magnolia Selects app. I’ve checked the listings lately, and while it’s been a staple on Hulu, these licensing deals are notoriously finicky. One day it’s there; the next, it’s "expired." If you don't see it on the main Hulu interface, it's worth checking if you have the Magnolia add-on or just hopping over to a VOD service.
Buying it is always the "safe" play. Honestly, if you hate the hunt, just go to Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. It usually goes for about $3.99 to rent. That’s the price of a mediocre latte to see an Oscar winner play a woman having a total existential breakdown in the back of a stolen car. Worth it? Totally.
For folks over in the UK or Ireland, the situation is different. It’s had stints on Sky Cinema and NOW, which makes sense given the production roots. But don't just assume it's there. Sometimes it migrates to Channel 4 (the All 4 app) for a limited run after its pay-TV window closes. It’s a bit of a moving target.
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Why This Movie Is Harder to Find Than You’d Think
Distribution for independent films is basically a game of Tetris. A company like Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions might handle some territories, while Vertigo Releasing handles others. This is why when you search for joyride where to watch, you get those annoying "Content not available in your region" messages.
It isn't just about the "big" streamers like Netflix. In fact, Joyride rarely stays on Netflix for long because they didn't produce it. They just "rent" the rights for a few months. If you see it there, watch it immediately. Don't put it on your "My List" to die a slow death. It'll be gone by the time you remember it.
Is It On Any Free Services?
Maybe. But "free" usually means "with a ton of ads."
In the US, keep an eye on Tubi or Pluto TV. These FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channels are where indie movies go to live out their golden years. I’ve seen Joyride pop up on Kanopy as well. If you have a library card, Kanopy is basically the greatest secret in streaming. It’s high-brow, it’s free, and it doesn't have those jarring 30-second spots for insurance right in the middle of a dramatic monologue. Check your local library's digital access. You'd be surprised.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Joyride
People hear "road movie" and think it's going to be a lighthearted romp through the Rolling Hills of Ireland. It isn't. Not really.
There’s a lot of raw, uncomfortable stuff about motherhood and grief here. Olivia Colman doesn't do "simple" characters. Her Joy is prickly. She’s kind of a mess. Some critics actually hated the movie because they found the characters "unlikable." But that's the point. Real people in crisis aren't always charming. Charlie Reid, the kid playing Mully, actually holds his own against Colman, which is no small feat. He’s the heart of the movie, honestly.
The scenery is gorgeous—shot mostly in County Kerry—but the cinematography by James Mather doesn't make it look like a postcard. It looks damp. It looks real. That's the vibe you're signing up for.
A Quick Note on the "Other" Joyride
Don't confuse this with the 2023 R-rated comedy Joy Ride (with the space in the title) or the 2001 Paul Walker thriller. Seriously. If you're looking for joyride where to watch and you end up seeing a bunch of college students being chased by a trucker named Rusty Nail, you’ve clicked the wrong link. You want the one with the baby and the Irish accents.
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The Technical Specs (If You Care About Quality)
If you're watching this on a high-end OLED, try to find a 4K rental on Apple TV. The greens of the Irish countryside deserve more than a grainy 720p stream on a pirate site. Plus, the sound design—the wind, the rattling taxi—adds a lot to the atmosphere.
- Director: Emer Reynolds
- Writer: Ailbhe Keogan
- Runtime: 94 minutes (Short and sweet)
- Release Year: 2022
Actionable Steps to Watch It Right Now
- Check your local library first. Go to the Kanopy website, plug in your library card, and search. It’s the only way to watch it "free" legally and in high quality.
- Verify the Region. If you are using a VPN, set it to the UK and check the NOW app or set it to the US and check Hulu.
- VOD is the fallback. If you can’t find it on a subscription service, the $3.99 rental on Amazon or YouTube is the most reliable way to avoid the "where is it?" headache.
- Check the title carefully. Ensure you are looking at the 2022 film starring Olivia Colman, not the 2023 comedy or the 2001 horror movie.
Searching for joyride where to watch shouldn't take longer than the movie itself. Stick to the major VOD platforms if you want to save time, or dig into Kanopy if you want to save money. Either way, it’s a performance by Colman that deserves the 90 minutes of your life.
Stop scrolling through trailers and just pick a platform. The movie’s short enough that you can finish it and still have time to grab a drink afterward.