Movies

The film that featured Kavinsky alongside Ryan Gosling and made modern cinema history

Nicolas Winding Refn created one of the most memorable introductions of this century.

Update: Jul 29th, 2026 17:45 CEST

July 29 is a sad day for music lovers. Vincent Belorgey, better known as “Kavinsky,” has died at age 50 from causes that are still under investigation. The French DJ leaves behind an enormous legacy in the industry, but even more so in the memories of movie lovers. One of his iconic songs was used in the opening sequence of a special film, considered “one of the cult classics” of the 21st century.

The film in question is ‘Drive’ (2011), the movie that put Nicolas Winding Refn on the cinematic map. It was 2011 when the filmmaker brought to life a story that was influential in both tone and style. It was interesting, because in it we saw faces that, years later, would be at the forefront of Hollywood: Ryan Gosling, Oscar Isaac, Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan... A star-studded cast.

The director used one of Kavinsky’s greatest tracks to accompany the film’s opening sequence. ‘Nightcall’ is a classic by the French artist whose legend grew thanks to the film. Winding Refn also played a major role: the direction of ‘Drive’ is excellent overall. One of the film’s curiosities is that Gosling had only 116 lines in the script despite being the lead actor. The silences, the glances, the gestures… his performance was flawless, thanks in large part to the director’s good taste.

‘Drive’, a cult classic that gets better with age

The film follows an unnamed driver (Ryan Gosling), a loner who works as a mechanic and stuntman in Hollywood, while supplementing his income by driving for criminals during nighttime heists.

His life is governed by strict rules: he offers his clients five minutes of help, and once that time is up, he disappears without asking any questions. Accustomed to staying aloof from any personal ties, his routine changes when he meets Irene (Carey Mulligan), a young neighbor with whom he develops an increasingly close relationship. The presence of Irene and her son allows him to imagine a different kind of life, far removed from the violence that has marked his past.

The film that featured Kavinsky alongside Ryan Gosling and made modern cinema history

However, the apparent calm is shattered when Irene’s husband returns from prison burdened with debts owed to dangerous criminals. In an effort to help his family, the driver finds himself caught up in an operation that goes horribly wrong, making him the target of an increasingly aggressive criminal network.

From that moment on, ‘Drive’ becomes a story of survival in which violence erupts with an intensity as unexpected as it is brutal. As he tries to protect Irene, the protagonist is forced to face enemies who threaten to destroy any chance of a future.

Where can I watch ‘Drive’?

‘Drive’ is available in the Xumo Play catalog. It can also be rented or purchased in digital format through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.