Daddio Review : Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson shine, bringing emotional depth to this drama

Story: A young woman takes a cab home to Manhattan from the airport and engages in a surprising, heartfelt conversation with the driver. Through their exchange, both gain new insights into their relationships and past experiences.

Review: ‘Daddio’ is a ruminative and conversational film that will remind you of scenes from classic films that have made New York an iconic movie destination over time. Be it the lighting, framing, or the premise of a long, heartfelt conversation with the most unexpected person—a cab driver—it is a throwback to cinema that relies on the interplay among characters rather than technology-driven filmmaking tools. It literally rides on the natural rapport between Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn, with little else but a deep conversation to drive it forward.

Girlie (Dakota Johnson) books a cab from JFK airport to a New York address late at night. She has arrived from a small town in rural America, where she grew up and recently returned for an unstated personal reason. Cab driver Clark (Sean Penn) starts by chatting along expected lines—about app-based cab services and the lack of tipping with credit card payments—but soon reveals a sensitive and humorous side. Their conversation flows into personal territory, touching on relationships, gender dynamics, Girlie’s childhood and teenage memories, and her complicated relationship with a half-sister, subtly reflecting her deep need for human connection in a fast-paced city. While Clark initially speaks like a typical cab driver, discussing sex, relationships, women, and people in clichés, he shows a surprisingly mature and evolved perspective on life. His life experiences contrast with Girlie’s youthful blend of confusion and optimism, leading them to conclude their long ride with an empathetic and rare connection. A constant litany of texts from her current boyfriend contrasts with the deeply humane conversation between two strangers who connect instantly.

This might not be a film for everyone, but it is definitely for movie aficionados who seek a story beyond sparkles and superheroes. ‘Daddio’ is confined inside a cab, yet it never feels tedious or claustrophobic. It feels personal, almost reminiscent of a time gone by in our lives today. Johnson and Penn sink their teeth into these author-backed, authentic characters. With many extreme close-ups, sometimes focusing solely on the actors' eyes, it is stunning to witness that neither performer ever misses a beat. The emotions they express and their reactions to memories are genuine, never over the top.

The film’s dialogue, however, feels outdated and limiting. While Penn’s character discusses relationships with all the stereotypes surrounding men and women, conflating Johnson’s situation with his past experiences, her character’s passive reception feels out of place in today’s times. At the same time, the use of text messages to convey the dismal reduction of love and affection to base reactions is timely and resonant. Penn’s ability to hold intense and lengthy portions of dialogue without ever making them feel staged is simply brilliant.

Filmmaker and writer Christy Hall has effectively woven elements of contemporary angst into this narrative. What AI could mean for regular life and cab drivers, and how a generation constantly being ‘plugged in’ is diminished from being fully human, are relevant to the uncertainty of our times. That said, ‘Daddio’ may struggle to find an audience among Gen Z and the young. However, for a ride through a heartfelt story with cinematic impact, ‘Daddio’ is worth a watch.