Sound Effect Analysis – Drive

Ryan Gosling in the car

The purpose of Non-Diegetic sound is to build and create tension. But more importantly the main purpose of Non-diegetic sound is to entertain the audience which tension does.

A getaway driver (Ryan Gosling) waits for two criminals to commit a burglary. The Driver has a strict rule - he gives anyone who hires him a 5 minute window to commit their crime and get to the car or otherwise he'll leave them

There are 4 sound effects used to create tension:

a) The ticking watch


b) The radio


c) The police radio scanner


d) Environmental sound (alarm, traffic, car engine, police siren).

The ticking watch is effective as it shows the audience that time is running out which creates uncertainty and therefore builds up tension.

Ryan Gosling attaching the watch on the steering wheel

The radio is used well to show that the character of Ryan Gosling (Driver) is calm and professional that he can listen to a basketball game on the radio at the same time which means that he most likely get out of the situation. It also foreshadows where he will get out of the car, which is the parking lot of the LA clippers arena when all of the other fans are getting out from the game.

Likewise, the police radio scanner is also a significant element to create tension as it shows that there is threat nearby.

Burglars breaking in and setting of the alarm 

Environmental sounds is also used such as the alarm that goes off at the start to show that they are in the hurry it also foreshadows that police will come after them which means they have to move quickly. Additionally the police siren is critical to build tension as it shows the danger is nearby and creates more uncertainty about the outcome of what is happening.