Is The First Ride Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2025)

📖 The Core Premise

The First Ride stands as a 2025 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Comedy, Drama, Adventure landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Four lifelong friends—Tae-jeong, Do-jin, Yeon-min, and Geum-bok—dreamed of an epic trip abroad, but life got in the way. Years later, older but not necessarily wiser, they finally embark on their long-overdue journey. Planned as a carefree getaway, however, the trip derails into a whirlwind of unexpected chaos, hilariously absurd detours, and buried emotions resurfacing. As they stumble through misadventures, their first ride together turns into a spectacular journey—one for the ages."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The First Ride, Kang Ha-neul delivers a serviceable performance that keeps the narrative moving. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The First Ride worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Drama, Adventure films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The First Ride is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 117 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.